Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-17
LEAGUE IN ARMS
STRIKES A ROCK
German Press Bitter at
Austria Over Polish
Question
BURIAN GOES H o M E


Copyrioht. 1918. BY Nctc York Times co.
The Hague, June II.
Foreign Minister Burian has al
ready returned to Vienna after only
two days stay at the German cap
ital. and although the Frendenblatt
hastens to inform the people that an
important question such as Polands
future could not be decided on in
such a short space of time that great
progress has been made and that the
negotiations are to be resumed IN
Vienna. there is surprise and disap-
pontment in the German press.
Many things point to hitch In the
Central League in Arms. No further
progress has been made since Kaiser
Karl went to headquarters and the So
luton of the Polish question has been
only superficially touched on, says the
Frankfurter Zeitung. The paper ados
that there is no reason to believe that
Burian is less a disciple of the Austro-
Polish solution now than when ne
first took up his office at the Ballpatz.
This question is the bone of bitter
contention and is now openly treated
that Burian has made promise which
he is not sure of keeping, as there is
no longer doubt as to the solution de.
sired b. Berlin. Austria is afraid that
an Independent Poland would be an
enemy to the Central Powers and
mean the baking of Central Europe
and the separation of Galicia from
Congeres Po'and.
Austrian Minister'S Resign
Meantime the news from Austria Is
anything but reassuring for the Cen
tral Empires. Four more ministers
have rendered their designations In
connection with the resignation OF the
Minister for Home Affairs and there
are rumors of risings and unrest
Vienna correspondents consider the
situation serious. The Tageblatt
Vienna correspondent points out that
this is neither a government nor
parliamentary crisis, but state
crisis, and declares that the OLD aus
tria, with her Constitution of 1867. Is
finished.
"The question is undoubtedly of great
Importance for the neighboring German
empire. Berlin must certainly realize
that the contracting parties of the old
alliance exist no longer. and that no
power on earth, not even German sup
port. will bring them to life again.
The Tageblatt points out that many
people see in the formation of this league
an action against the letter of Prince
Sixtus de Bourbon. and ADDS that the
military side of the league VIII nave a
far-reaching agreement in the technical
tiles Of defense and armaments as well
as the training of both armies
The Liberal press of Germany appears
willing at least to discuss the possibili-
ties of the Austro-Polish solution, but
the conservative press openly denounces
H. expressing satisfaction at the open
stand now taken by the Government.
The annexationist Weser Zeitung
says:
"Burian will be somewhat surprised
at the definiteness of the German stand
point, and will recollect with sorrow the
August days of 1915, when he and Beth
mann prematurely and without due re-
Election gave the first push to the Polish
policy, which fault they must now re-
pair"
Urges Closer Alliance
The paper reminds its readers that
Hindenburg unfortunately had not full
command over political issues at that
epoch, ana points out that Burian must
Is allied to Germany the better 1t will be
for Austrias complex and distracted in
terror situation.
! The paper sees no possibility of set
/ tling the question until the matters are
/ cleared UP in Vienna. 1t says:
, "Germanys world political interest in
! the league with the Dual Monarchy Is
based on the fact that this is one way OF
building a bridge to the Orient. Who
| knows whether in the triangular state OF
Austria Poland and Hungary the eco
| nomic interest would not so develcp
northward that the Balkan policy will
be neglected? Quite apart from the fact
that such a state would naturally de-
mand a North Sea port"
Decisive Step Is Real Need
The Frankfurter Zeitung points ou,
| hat parliamentary debates on the eco.
nomic question touching the league ir
arms may be useful. but that only a
decisive step of the three Powers con
cerned can be of any real value.
What do we know of their inten.
tions?" says the paper, and 1t speaks OF
Won Payers speech. which. unfortu
nately. left all details" to the futur.
and did not pronounce on the form o.
the Polish settlement. although thi,
question is preliminary condition to al
other decisions The paper points ou
that Burian's visit to Berlin had pri
marily and, as a matter of fact 9TH,
| writer here uses the English words
matter of fact" which can be inter
preted as a sign of the peace offensive o
the times). no other aim than an agree
ment on Poland.
without this, no league in arms. n,
Central Europe"
The paper regrets that CzernIn is no
handling the situation. pointing out tina
any agreement with the Dual Monarch,
/ in future will have to cope with a NOR
pronounced national egoism amonI
North German people than ever befor
| and that Tisza's recent speech ciearl,
showed that Central Europe must imam
ciaIiy support Hungary and grant he
the same trading and sgrarian opportu
nifisa - e1ncesrions. The psper ap
ls*as y - ~ = ri.aa-