South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-02-28
REFUSES
To FIGHT RUSS,
CAPITAL HEARS
William II and Ludendorft are
Unable to CoerCe Charles at
Recent Meeting With
Southern Ruler.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 2s.-Fur-
Their evidence Of the growing strain
in relations between Germany and
Austria over he refusal of the lat
ter to participate in the renewed
attack upon Russia is given in an
official dispatch received here to-
day from France. IL quotes the
Austrian premier as formally reiter-
ating on February p hat Austria
Hungary will take no part in mill
tary action against Russia or Rou-
mania and will not send her troops
into Ukrainia.
The dispatch refers to the meet
ing between Emperors Charles and
William on February %, and says
there seems little doubt that a ser
ious conflict has arisen between the
two nations which Germany is de-
termined to settle by violent meas
ures if necessary.
The dispatch follows: Charles
I / paid "A visit to William II the 22nd
Of February. Ludendorff was pres
| ent at the interview. If we are 20
Judge from the tone of the inter-
! view it must have been lacking in
cordiality. There seems to be little
doubt but wha- a serious conflict
has broken out during the week be-
tween the courts of Vienna and
Berlin and which Germany is deter
mined 10 settle if need. by violent
measures.
Creates stir In Austria.
The international situation of the
dual monarchy is such that the vi
emma government in order to avert
a catastrophe has been obliged TO
distinguish by "a of public dec
la~rations it's own policy from that
of Germany. The report that at
the conferences of February Il,
Hertling and Ludendorn had decid-
ed 20 pay no attention 10 the Rus
sian rehabilitation and 10 pre-
pare to begin again the conflict on
the east front caused a great stir
throughout Austria. 1t was not
J simply the dissenting natiOnalities,
the Czechs. the Slovenes or the
Poles who do not desire 10 fight any
more but il is the mass of the pop
ulation of German origin who re-
fuse TO sacrifice themselves any
longer to assure the triumph Of
Prussian imperialism.
An official note or the 18th had
announced that Austria for her
part would continue to consider the
war as terminated with Russia and
would abstain from taking part in
the operations planned by the Ger
man command. A second note of
the 10Th repeated the same state
ment. When asked to give further
particulars at the sitting of the
chamber on the 22nd the Austrian
premier formally stated:
Austrian Premier Stands Pat.
The words uttered by different
deputies have proved to that explain
alton which has been furnished up
to the present by them have not
been sufficiently explicit. l repeat
therefore, that Austria-Hungary
will participate in no way in the
military action which is now being
carried on by Germany against Rus
STA. 1 repeat that there is no ques-
ton Of having our troops penetrate
into Ukrainia with whom we are at
peace. L repeat that the armistice
exists between Austria Hungary and
Roumania and hat we are only con-
sidering entering as early as possible
into peace conversations with this
country.
These declarations are serious.
Without a doubt in the speech on
the 18th of February. Seydler plead
ed his hdelity to the alliance. But
more and more Germany uns the
risk of seeing Austria. and after her
Bulgaria and Turkey take a positive
attitude. and practically withdraw
ing from the struggle, witness as
spectators the continuation of hos
| fIifies