New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-04-04

from page |
to himself, that this united mass ,on.
resents force which is not to be
unprecedented and that this honest
ana strong desire for peace which
o'' as the monarchs, governments and
peoples of both states is CAPABLE Of
being the bearer of that Great idea IN
self" ''"NN - II III
Wilson Suggestions Acceptable
Referring to his last speech, Count
Czernin explained the misunderstood.
ing of his remark that the text was
already in the Pres dent's possession
by declaring that he had previously
arranged Tor the text to be telegraphcd
20 washington from an unofficial
source in neutral country. in order
to prevent any misunderstanding or
aistortlon. 1t subsequently transpired,
however, that the text only arrived at
us destination some days later: Never
theless, he said, the object was at
tanned. He then continued:
can only say that l esteem it high
~ that the German Chancellor, in his
excellent speech of February %, took
ing that the four principles developed
IN President Wilson's speech of Febru-
any II formed the basis upon which a
general peace could be discussed. am
IN entire agreement with this.
The four points laid down by the
President IRE a suitable basis on which
TO oegln the discussion for a general
peace. Whether. however, the Presi
dent will succeed in his endeavors to
rally his allies on this basis or not is
a question.
Tried to Avoid Offensive
God is my witness that we have
tried everything possible to avoid a
fresh offensive. but the Entente would
not have it thus
Some time before the Western often
sivc began, NJ Clemcnceau addressed
to me an inquiry whether and upon
what basis | was prepared to negotiate
IN agreement with Berlin Immediate
~ reptled that | was prepared to ncgo-
tate and that as far as France was
concerned the only obstacle | could see
IN the way of peace was the French
desire for Alsace-Lorrainc.
he reply from Paris was that it
was impossible TO negotiate on this
basis. Thereupon there was no choice
left.
The colossal struggle in the West
has already broken out. Austro- Hun
Soi ian anu 1ciiidIl tTOODS are HpnllnR
shoulder to shoulder. as they fought in
Russia. Serbia, Rumania and Italv. We
are fighting together for the defence
of Austria Hungary and Germany. The
aspirations of France and italy are
Utopas, which will be terribly
avenged.
Come what may, we shall not sacri-
ice Germanys interests, any more than
she will leave US in the lurch We are
lot fighting for imperialistic or an
nexationist ends for ourselves or for
Germany, but we shall go forward to-
gether to the last for our defence, for
our existence as state and for our
future.
Ukraine Peace Blow to Foes
"The first breach in the will of our
enemies for war has been made by the
peace negotiations with Russia 1t was
break through of the peace idea. 1t
is evidence of childish dilettantiSm to
overlook the inner connection between
the various conclusions Of peace. The
constellation of enemy powers in the
East resembled a net-when one mesh
was severed the others gave way
"The Ukrainian peace led to peace
with Russia. and Rumania, becoming
isolated, was obliged to conclude peace.
We had to begin with the Ukraine both
on technical and material grounds. The
blockade had to be broken, and the
future will show that the conclusion
of peace with the Ukraine was a blow
at the heart of the rest Of our enemies.
"The peace concluded with Rumania,
it is calculated, will be the starting
point of friendly relations. The slight
frontier rectifcations which we re-
ceive are not annexations. Wholly un-
inhabited regions, they serve solely for
military protection. To those who in
sst that these notifications fall under
the category of annexatons and accuse
me of inconsistency | reply that ! have
publicly protested against holding out
license to our enemies which would
assure them against the dangers of
further adventures.
From Russia did not demand q
single metre, but Rumania neglected
the favorable moment. The protection
Of mercantile shipping in the lower
Danube guarding the Iron Gate is |
guaranteed by the extension of the |
frontier to the heights Of Turnu-Seve-
rim, by leasing for thirty years valu-
able wharf near this town, together
with a strip along the river bank, at an |
annual rental Of 900 lei $4,000, and
finally by obtaining the leasing rights |
20 the islands Of Ostrovo. Marccorhu
and Simearu and the transfer Of the