New-York tribune., 1918-06-26
said that if war broke out it's duration
and end could not be calculated.
No Signs of Readiness for Peace


despite the brilliant successes of
our arms" continued the Secretary,
"there has been nowhere clearly rec
ognizable among our enemies readiness
for peace. The German government has
repeatedly laid down it's standpoint in
declarations intended for the widest
publicity. Our enemies have nothing
to show that can in any degree compare
with the German peace offer, with the
resolution OF this House, or with the
reply to the Papal note.
THE declarations of our enemies,
especially of English statesmen. allow
as vet no peaceful, ray of light to fall
en- the darkness of this war"
DR.. Won kuehlmann, in referring to
Germany's relations with her allies,
said:
On Austria Hungary that brill
representative Of her foreign policy,
Count Czernin. retired because Of in
ternal political reasons. His success
sor, Baron Burian, Us a well-tried DIP
lomat, whose loyalty, friendship and
devotion to the alliance were assured
from the outset. The personal and
cordial collaboration which existed in
the case of Count Czernin, and which
contributed to the final settlement and
solution of all questions, also exists in
the case OF baron buTlan.
ut is also to be reckoned among
Baron Burian's services that an inter-
view between the two Empcrors oc-
Cured at main headquarters which his
tory will record as momentous in shap
ing the relations between Germany and
Austria-Hungary. Both the En-
perors, in the presence of leading
statesmen. assured each other solemn
ly that they would not only loyalty
abide by the existing alliance, but that
they also intended to strengthen,
widen and deepen it in political, mill
tary and economic directions.
Pursuant to the expression of the
will of these two august personages
responsible statesmen forthwith en-
tered into spending negotiations.
During his visit to Berlin Baron Bu-
rian discussed the fundamental ques-
tons thoroughly in conferences with
the Chancellor, the exchange of views
being carried on further in writing.
They probably will be continued on the
occasion of the Chancellor's return
visit to Vienna"
Closer Ties With Bulgaria
"With Bulgaria, too," continued the
cially the peace negotiations, have
facilitated the drawing closer of many
personal and political ties. 1t is
matter of regret which the German
public shares, that Premier Radosla-
votf, who has been a pillar of our alli-
ance, recently resigned for internal
political reasons. The explicit assur-
ances of his successor and the exalted
personality of the great statesman who
wears the Bulgarian crown are a guar
antee to us that there will be no
change in the policy hitherto followed"
DR.. Won Kuehlmann again went over
the subject of negotiations between
Turkey and Bulgaria, and added:
"But there does not exist any con-
fiict in interest between us and Tur-
key"
In discussing the situation in the
near East, DR.. Won Kuehlmann said:
"1n her advance from territories fall
ing to her under the treaty of Brest-
Litovsk. Turkey, for reasons of safety,
pushed the left wing of her advancing
troops into regions which indubitably
could not be permanently occupied or
annexed. The chiefs of staff have dis
cussed this matter and the Turkish ad-
vance in the Caucasus has stopped"
Dr. Won Kuehlmann, referring to the
various governments formed in the
Caucasus region, said:
Turkey, in the Brest-Litovsk treaty,
having received the promise of regain
ing the districts which she lost in 1877
to the Russians, found herself obliged
quite recently by the strategic develop
ments in upper Mesopotamia to utilize
munication across the Aderbiian region
of Persia to the Tigris valley"
Or. Won Kuehlmann announced that
within the next few days a conference
would be held at Constantinople where
the questions that had arisen between
the Quadruple Alliance and 1.-THE Cau-
casien people" would "fnd settle
ment.'
Future of Aland Islands
The Foreign Secretary said an agree
ment had been reached whereby the
Notifications of the Aland Islands, in
the Baltic, were to be removed, but that
a final decision had not yet been
reached regarding the future of the
islands.
ave hope and desire, however" DR..
Won Kuehlmann said, "this question will
be so settled that the maximum guar
tage OF all dwellers on the Baltic coast
the unemployment of the islands for
military purposes may be assured for
all time"
With reference to Russia, DR.. Won
Kuehlmann said:
at is impossible to believe that the
great process Of fermentation and wild,
irregular movement of conflicting
forces which the disappearance Of the
Czaristc power released has reached
permanent equilibrium. ALI conditions
in the former empire of the Gar must
to a certain extent be described as un-
certain. Our policy. in view of this
situation, is close observation and ut
most caution and, so far as purely in.
ternal affairs are concerned, CORE.
spondingly wise reserve.
"The leaven of national fermenta
ton within the Russian body polite
led to the detachment and severance o.
y whole series of entities, which have
partly attained full national status ant
are partly developing toward that end
Finland Gaining Independence
an Finland the battle has been de-
cided in favor of the party which wa,
striving for Finland's independence
The soil of Finland has been cleared
of Red Guards, and everything point:
TO Finland being about to dcveloa
that high culture which is hers in tho
form of an Independent state"
The Secretary said that the numbel
of German troops which participated
in the battles in Finland at the latter,
request was small but that they un
doubtedly contributed their share il
shaping events.
"By the treaty Of Brest-Litovsk,'
continued DR.. Won Kuehlmann, "Cour
land and Lithuania were severed from
the Russian Emuire II was from thI