Evening star., 1918-01-28
u. s. LACKS FORMAL
PEACE FEELERS''
Count Czernin's Speech Not
Officially Considered by
r Administration Here.
SPEED WAR PREPARATION

If the speech of Count Czernin, Austro-
Hungarian minister of foreign affairs.
in which he put forth peace feelers"
directed toward the United States, was
forwarded to President Wilson before
1t was delivered in Austria, the State
Department has not seen 1t.
One official faeetiously suggested that
at must have been sent by mail"
II any effort were made to bring the
peace proposals of Austria to the at
tention of the United States govern
ment, the probable course would be
through Swiss diplomatic channels,
since the Swiss legation now is repre-
Benting Austrian interests in this coun-
try. There is no precedent for even this
indirect method of communication so
far as this country is concerned. The
Presidents address to Congress. con-
tanning his fourteen specified war aims,
was given to the press both in the
United States and in the allied nations
But it was not presented to the Spanish
diplomats, who represent the United
States interests at Vienna. for indi-
rect transmission to the Austrian gov
ernment.
officials continue to Withhold comment
on either the Czernin statement or that
of Won Hertiing until the full texts
are received in this country.
Source of Comfort.
The central powers can gather what
comfort they may it was pointed out.
by the fact that in the days after their
delivery the principal attention of the
country has been directed toward vari-
Gus means of speeding up the war.
As one official pointed out, there has
been considerable argument about
ways in which the United States could
make war more expeditiously and
effectively. but none OF the differences
have arisen from any desire to slacken
the war preparations in the hazy hope
'of an opening for early peace negotia-
tions.
Though President Wilson has been
confined to his room with a cold for
the past few days. and Secretary Lam
sing has been at his home suffering
from cold for the past week, these
circumstances have nothing to do, It
was explained. with the lack of interest
IN renewed peace drives on the part of
the central powers. Secretary Lansing
: returned today to his office.
1t is considered a foregone conclusion
that Germany will continue her peace
onenslve as part Of her campaign
70 weaken the morale of her allies. as
wen as to bolster up her people at
home. in the belief that she is sincere
~ seeking a basis of peace negotia-
fions. Internal conditions in Austria.
y is realized, may be responsible for
the greater concessions Austria seems
willing to make. but reports about
these conditions are highly conflicting.
Aims at Dissension.
Many of the dispatches concerning
riots. strikes and rebellions in Austria
: and Hungary have come through cable
summaries. OF extracts from bolsheyik
papers in Russia. One of Trotzki's
aims. it is generally known. has been
to spread dissension among the peo-
pIes OF the central powers, and IL was
pointed out that 1t would be only nat
ural for sympathetic and radical pa
pers in Russia to magnify the success
OF these efforts.
Omcials have been watching the ef-
zfect OF the Won Hertling and the Ger
: min speeches on the public Of this coun-
Try. They have been. gratifed at the
way in which they have been generaaly.
ss9nored. Less attention il being paid
Just now. it was stated. by one official,
: TO talk of premature peace than at any
time since the war started
Pressure now being brought to bear
upon Washington is for speeding up
/. the war. not for consideration of peace
upon terms made in Germany" This
rorm OF German propaganda. therefore,
II believed to have lost its effectiveness
IN this country.
- On the other hand, there has been
: effort upon the part of individuals to
: give the Presidents statement of war
aims widest possible circulation in
: yCermany. There are Indications that
this appeal to the peoples Of the CEN
trai powers is having its effect.