New-York tribune., 1918-07-17
Austria Ready
To Talk Peace
On u. s. Basis
Continued from page

against them, because we have been
attacked, and the wrong done to us
must be redressed."
I'VE are prepared to discuss every
thing" said Baron Burian, Except our
own territory"
Baron Burian's Note
The following is the text of Baron
Burian's note to the Austrian and
Hungarian prcmicrs:
1T is not easy to draw a picture of
the present world situation, in view of
the swiftly moving nature of events.
Everything is in full swing. and a
repetition of what has so often been
said regarding the causes and respon-
sibilities for the past can no longer in
huence our judgment, because on that
subject everybody already has formed
his own view.
THE consequences of the war al
ready have grown infinitely, and have
gone far beyond the original causes
of the war. The present phase Of
events, and developments, too, throw
a glaring light on the conflicting in
terests of the different belligcrcnt
groups which clashed at the beginning
OF this murderous struggle, but they,
perhaps, are not without slight signs
or an internal change taking place in
the relations Of the groups
In the midst of the terrible struggle
and in every phase of this war of sue
cessful defence the Central Powers
have had no other aim in view but to
secure the enemy's Will to peace
"lf we sum up all that has been
SAID on the enemy's side in regard to
their war aims we recognize three
groups of aspirations, which are being
set forth to justify the continuation of
bloodshed so that the ideals of man
kind may be realized.
THE freedom of all nations, which
are to form league of nations, and
which in future shall settle their diff
ferences by arbitration and not by
arms, is to reign.
"The domination of one nation by
another nation is to be excluded.
"Various territorial changes are to
be carried out at the expense of the
Central Powers.
"Ihese annexationist aims, though
variously shaped, are generally known
"Ihe intention, however. also exists,
especially in regard to AUSTRIA Hun
gary, to carry out her internal disin-
tegratlon for the purpose of the forma-
tion of new states. Finally. our op-
pcnents demand our atonement be-
cause we dared to defend ourselves,
and successfully, against their attacks
Our ability to defend ourselves is
termed militarism and must, there fore
be destroyed.
Territory Main Issue
only things now separating the diff
ferent belligerent groups
''tor the great interests of humanity
and for the justice, freedom, honor and
peace of the world. as set forth in the
laws of modern political conception,
regarding which we need not accept
any advice. we also are ready to fight.
There is hardly any difference be-
tween the general principles enunci-
ated by the statesmen of both billiger-
ents. President Wilson'S four new
points Of July 4 shall not. apart from
certain eXaggerations, arouse our op-
position.
ION the contrary, we are able to ap-
prove them heartily to a great extent
Nobody would refuse homage TO this
genius, and nobody would refuse his
This, however, is not the
main point. but it is what can also be
in the interests of mankind.
Both groups should certainly honestly
attempt to clear this up and settle it
by mutual agreement but not in the
same manner. as, for instance, our
peace treaties in the East were judged.
Calls Allied Views Weak
"The fact is that all our opponents
were invited to join in those peace ne
gotiations, and they could have con-
tributed their share in bringing them
TO q different issue. But now. when it
is too late. their criticism stands on
weak grounds. for there is no legal
right which would have entitled them
to condemn the peace conditions which