The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1918-02-28
war ON SlAvs
Demanded Of Austria by Germany
Further Evidence Of Growing
Strain In Relations Between
Central Powers Received.

Washington, February 27-Further
evidence of the growing strain in re-
lations between Germany and Aus
tria over the refusal OF the latter to
participate In the renewed attack up
on Russia is given in official dispatch
received here today from France. 1t
quotes the American premier as for
mally reiterating on February go that
Austria Hungary will take no part
In military action against Russia or
Rumanla and will not send her troops
into Ukraine.
The dispatch refers to the meeting
between Emperors Charles and Will
liam February 20, and says there
seems little doubt that serious con-
flict has arisen between the two ma
tions which Germany is determined to
settled by violent measures If neces-
sary.
The dispatch follows:
Charles I, paid a visit to William
II, the 22nd, of February. Ludendorf
was present at the interview. If we
are to judge from the tone of the in
terview, 1t must have been lacking in
cordiality. There seems to be little
doubt but what a serious conflict has
broken out during the week between
the courts of Vienna and Berlin and
which Germany is determined to set
I tie IL need be, by violent measures.
"The internal situation of the dual
monarchy is such that the Vienna gov
| ernment in order to avert catas-
trophe has been obliged to distinguish
by means of public declarations its
own policy from that of Germany
The report that at the conferences of
February 14th. Hertling and Luden-
dorft, had decided to pay no attention
to the Russian rehabilitation and to
prepare to begin again the conflict on
the east front caused a great stir
throughout Austria.
1T was not simply the dissenting
nationalties, the Czachs, the Slovaks
or the Poles who do not desire to fight
any more, but it is the mass of the
population of German origin who re-
fuse to sacrifice themselves any long
er to assure the triumph of Prussian
imperialism.
"An official note of the 18th had
announced that Austria, for her part
would continue to consider the war as
terminated with Russia and would alb
stain from taking part in the opera
tions planned by the German COM
mander. A second note of the 10Th
repeated the same statement. When
asked to give further particulars at
the sitting of the chamber Of the 22nd
the Austrian premier formally stat
ed:
"The words auttered by different
deputies have proved that the expla'
nation which has been furnished VI
to the present time have not beer
sufficiently explicit. repeat there
fore, that Austro-Hungary will parti
cipate in no way in the military &C
tion which is now being carried OF
by Germany against Russia. | repea
that there Is no question of having
our troops penetrate into Ukrainlf
with whom we are at peace. repea
that the armistice exists between
Austro-Hungary and Rumania ant
that we are only considering entering
as early as possible into peace con
versations with this country
"These declarations are serious
Without doubt in his speech on tht
10th Of February, Seydler pleaded hi
fidelity to the alliance. But more ant
more Germany runs the risk of seek
ing Austria and after her Bulgarif
and Turkey, take positive attitude
and, practically withdrawing from the
struggle, witness as spectators the
continuation of hostilities."