The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-07-28

by the alliance between Germany.
Austria Hungary. Bulgaria and Tur.
key will not be broken e!;htr nv n
simple reconstruction of Serbia nor by
according political liberties to the Oh.
pressed nations of Austria Hungary
This dangerous chain can only he
broken by the dismemberment q,
Austria Hungary and by the estah.
lishment of the free States Of the
CZecho- Slovaks, the Poles and the
Jugoslavs. This Is the only way IN
assure the future peace of the world
and destroy the Pan-German scheme
But to reach this peace we must
first win the war. In this regard the
question of Austria Hungary is Of still
greater importance for the Allies. The
military and moral power of the Gem
trail Empires consists precisely in their
central geographical position. which
permits them to concentrate their
forces and a any moment at any place
In this lies the chief cause Of their
success up to the present time. Blu,
this Is also their weak side for their
defeat IL inevitable II this bloc"
should one day be broken, and this
bloc" can be broken II its weak point
can be found, This weak point is
Austria Hungary.
The movement OF the Czecho -Slovaks
and especially that of the Jugoslavs.
movements which had begun to dc.
velop even before the war, are to-day
the only ones which can bring definite
victory to the Allies The national
feeling of these people has been 50
reused that the who'll political system
and military force Of Austria Hungary
have been shaken. The best proof Of
&his is the events which are taking
,Sace on the Italian front. Since the
disappearance Of Russia as a military
force and as an enemy Of the Cen
trail Powers. Austria-Hungary has at
her disposal all her troops formerly
on the eastern front. She has trans
ported them to the Italian front and
with the double aim of cooperating
with the present German offensive
on the western front and improving
her internal situation threatened by
complete decentralization has under
taken this unfortunate offensive Of
which the failure has been apparent
from the first day and which will fin.
ish in a complete debacle If the Allies
make use on the italian front~of their
most powerful ally in their struggle
against Germany and for the end Of
the war-it means the utilization OF
the revolutionary movement OF the
oppressed nationalities OF Austria
Hungary.
The 18th of July, 1914, the hrstday
Of the world war, Serbia was forced
to accept the war imposed upon her
by Austria Hungary. During four
years she made the maximum OF eff
fort. she sacrificed all that a people
can sacrifice in the defence Of the
principles for which all the Allies
combat, believing firmly in the final
victory.
The Slav element in Austra-Hun
gary, in spite Of all the military sue
cess OF the Central Powers on the DIFF
ferent theatres Of war. also believes
firmly in the definite victory of the
principles proclaimed by the Allies as
indispensable for a durable peace Rut
not only that, the Slav element Openly
and with no uncertain voice demands
Its liberty. The struggle Of the Ju-
goslavs and the Czecho- Slovaks
against their rulers has begun openly
If the Allies do not openly and sim
cerely espouse their cause, this move-
ment will either he crushed by force
or the Central Powers will he ready
to make concessions and to accept
compromise with the Slavs. In both
cases this would he detrimental TO the
Allies. The Allies should realize the
danger of the German solution Of The
situation and take a resolute decision,
for If the Central Powers should sue
coed, even only to a certain degree, N
arriving at solution OF the present
movement in Austria Hungary. the
war may be regarded as ended to tie
profit OF Germany.
The collapse of Russia has beer ~
enormous advantage to Germany. and
the collapse OF Austria Hunes ~,
which has begun. will bring 10 Cor
many either her defeat or her victory.
This depends solely on the point ~
View which the Allies and the Uutri
States will take up. On this decision
depends the conclusion OF the war ard
tine future peace Of the world