The twice-a-week Twin Falls times. (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1916-1918, 1918-02-28
John Edwin Nevin,
I. N. S. Staff Correspondent

WASHlNGION, req. 1o.--I ISSSluB
all war preparations to the utmost
limit, officials today were also watch
ing very closely the developments in
the Austro-German situation. Official
advices reaching here emphasize the
growing difficulties over questions of
policy between Berlin and Vienna. The
German Russian policy is making ser
ious trouble for the Austrian control.
Already the official as well as tie
confidential information reaching here
conclusively prove that internal up
risings, eclipsing in their intensity
the recent country wide strike riots,
cannot be avoided if the Austrian
armies take any part whatever in the
subduing of Little and Great Russia
One lengthy confidential report re-
ceived today dealing with the confer
ence between Emperor Charles of Aus
tria and Emperor William of Ger
many on February %, says that at
that time the kaiser and General Lud-
endorff suggested as a means of dis
tracing the attention of the Austrians
from the situation in the east the i'm
mediate renewal of the offensive
against the Italians. Germany prom
ised it is understood, that if that pol
icy was followed she would withdraw
certain of her strongest units from
the French front to aid the Austrians
and enable them to accomplish the
capture of Venice at least. This sug-
gestion was denied for the reason, it
is supposed here, that such action
would work more to the benefit OF
Germany than for Austria.
Following this conference 1t is un-
derstood here that Germany threat
ened the use of force to hold Austria
in line This threat now is known
throughout Austria-Hungary, and it is
said to have greatly increased the bit
ter feeling against Germany.
AS a result it is stated that the pres
ent unprecedented speed of the Ger
man drive into Russia is due to de-
sire completely to destroy that coun-
try before the Austrian feeling can
concentrate as then it is believed by
German military leaders that action
would have to be at least deferred
were the Austrian officials forced tC
openly protest against continuation o1
the Russian conquest.
\ There still is doubt here as to what
action Austria can be expected tC
take. 1t is known that Pope Benedict
has thrown his entire influence to
ward the dual empire continuing its
efforts to institute peace negotiations
with the United States. Every posi-
BILE influence of the vatican is being
extended along this line at Vienna
today The result cannot be forecas
with any degree of accuracy.
But even though Austria should be
come a more or less passive factor il
the war, it would not mean that Ger
many would change her present at
titude. High officials Of the admin
istration emphasized this fact agar
and again today. They pointed ou
that Russia is absolutely out of the
struggle. Germanys army will con
troll that anarchy-ridden nation fol
some time to come. And it would be
possible to utilize on the east the
landstrum and other units of the old
er men relieving for the fighting OF
the western front all of the active
German fighting units.
This must not be understood al
meaning, war department officials
were unusually frank today in dis
cussing the possibilities explain, tina
the weight in either men or metal will
pass to Germany on the west front
The allied forces will continue su
when the looked for blow is struck i
will be delivered by the most powerful
organization that Germany has beer
able to concentrate since the com
mencement of the Verdun offensive
And they say with pride felt here tha
the flower of the American militar,
service will have its part in repulsinl
= this blow. Supreme confidence tina
hit will be repulsed reigns here, tn,
y only questions apparently in doub
being where it is likely to come an(
when.
Meanwhile officials were watching
with the most intense interest the de
velopments in Siberia. AS already
pointed out in these dispatches what
ever action Japan shall take ther,
will have the sanction and support O.
the entente and the United States
Should an expedition be sent through
Vladivostok and Harbin to hold tn,
trans-Siberian railway and preven
the seizure of the enormous amoun
of supplies stored at various point.
from the Pacific to the western Rus
sian frontier, Americans will partici
pate together with other entent,
forces. But it already is being mad,
plain that any such expedition will
have no part in the crushing of tn,
real Russian people. Its object will
be to prevent Germany securing ad
vantage of the Bolsheviki betrayal O
the Russian people, and this will b,
very clearly set out, not alone By
President Wilson, but by the Japan