The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-01-24
LABOR FORCING
AUSTRIA TO ASK
AN EARLYPEA
German Militarists Outma.
nGuvred by Develop
ments at Vienna.
KAISER IS FRIGHTENED
Reported to Be Prepared to
Listen to Proposals of
M0derates.
Special Cable Despssch to Tar sux.

Special cob's Despetch to THE Sun.
Copyright. 1918: al ri0AtA reserved.
LONDON. Jan. 23.-The German mill
tarist element apparently has been out
maneuvred thus far by the develop
ment Of events in Austria and Russia.
Multiplying Indications are contained in
scattered fragments of Continental
news to-day which show that the Aus
trian strikes have forced the hand Of
the Vienna Government and have com.
PEELED 1t to align itself with the Ger
man moderates in demanding early
peace and opposing annexations and in
IDENTITIES.
The Austrian strikes began, according
70 the rsvslations now made, In q de-
mand Tor food and peace. They quickly
took on . political character. Various
parliamentary administrative reforms
were demanded. together, with unquali-
ned assurance that the Government
would oppose the grandiose German de-
mands. The development of this poli,i-
cal phase proved fortunate for, the
Vienna Government because the Gov
eminent would have been hopelessly
! II been tho sole subject Of protest.
Realixing that II was easier to give
political. pledges. including the promise
OF an early peace. than to supply food
the Government gladly gave pledges
which commit Austria to uncompromis-
ing opposition to the Hindenburg pro-
gramme.
Tumult Sabsiding.
Following the exsction Of these pledges
the tumult in Austria In subsiding, al
though more slowly than the German
dispatches claim. The Austrian people,
however has tasted blood and Is de-
tcrmined to insist upon the annexation
Pledge being observed to the letter.
The rancor between Austria and Ger
many has deepcned and broadened
greatly during the past week. whereas n
week ago Il was believed everywhere
that the military party was completely
dominant In Germany. various Advices
now make 4 plain with little conceal-
ment. that the Kaiser Is frightened at
| the Austrian attitude and Il prepared
70 giye an ear to more moderate pro-
posalS
Chancellor von Hertlinx and Foreign
! Minister Won kuhlmann are making mat
ters still harder Tor Iindenburg and
I-udendorn. The most recent develop
ments in Petrograd give color to the
impression that the Bolsheviki com
pletely outmanRuvred the Germans at
Brest-Litovsk. This is indicated by a
long statement. obviously Foreign Min
lister Trotxky's work. issued by the
Petrograd Government and analysing
the schemes Of the German peace dele
cation. exposing It's contradictions and
insincer!ties. and continuing:
|
German Programme Published.
Won Kuhlmann clearly reckoned tina,
the Russian deleya alton would help him
conceal from the interested peoples the
true meaning Of the German peace pro-
gramme. The Germans reckoned tina,
peace was Indispensable to Russia
therefore Germany would try to give
peace In such a form as not to offend
the dignity Of the Russian people. Vor
Kuhlmann pretended to acrept the prin.
ciple OF no annexations and no indemni.
ties, but the Russian delegation obtained
a written statement Of the true German
imperialistic programme and published
It.
Further evidence Of friction between
Berlin and Vienna Is seen in the fac
that Vienna has issued a statement re
garding the Ukraine peace negotiation
decidedly dissimilar to that issuet
earlier by Berlin. fhe German state
ment conveyed the impression that I
basis OF peace practically had bee,
reached and that the successful out
come of the negotiations almost wa
at hand, whereas the Vienna announce
ment IL almost pessimistic In tone. -
The Berlin Vorpaeris has allude,
cautiously to the discrepancies betweei
the Berlin and the Vienna versions. in
timating its disposition TO believe Vienn'
In preference to Berlin. The VOrunert
also offended recently by publishing un
desired details of the Austrian strikes
resulting In the authorities suppressinl
1t for three days. VorWoerts declare,
It's contemporaries were walking on tn
verge Of h precipice, the German pro
letariat being In complete harmony will
tho spirit animatinx the Austrian strik
ers IN their effort to force peace, adding
: 1T is self-evident that the Austrian
! development must have a profound re
action in Germany"
Continuing. the newspaper said tina
this could be averted only II the Germa,
! Government forthwith takes its rlac
beside its German ally. Otherwise.
warned. Austria Hungary and .Russi
! may enter into a lasting friendship an,
} Germany would remain excluded there
, fron