Evening star., 1918-01-27
Hand Of Austro-Hungarian Govern.
ment Believed Forced by Recent
Upheaval Of Nations
Workers.
BY OLIVER OWEN KUHN.

pire, one to be gained by breaking
down entente military and COM
mereial power. The statement of
Count Won Hertling, the imperial
chancellor, before the main COM
mittee of the reichstag during the
past week indicates clearly the
German governments frame of
mind.
That Won Hertling's statements are
not the expression merely of the chan
cellor, but the
Reflects Stand entire govern
of the Government. men. mens' Is Is, moi. .h.
fact that the reply to the demands of
President Wilson and Premier Lloyd
George was the subject of long delib-
erations between the kaiser. his for
eign minister. Won Kuehlmann, and his
two chief war lords. Won Hindenburg
and Won Ludendorf. It was decided
what the chancellor should say. In this
speech there are no clauses which give
q grain Of comfort to the more pacific
elements Of the nation. That the kaiser
has curbed the more moderate views of
Won Kuehlmann. and has sustained the
Ludendorff faction in German politics
is certain. The emperor has been won
over to the terrorist schooI-if 1t was
necessary to win him over. Won Kuehl-
mann and his moderate supporters. for
the time being, are eclipsed completely.
This fact Is important for the allies, as,
for at once and all time. 1t is plainly
and to victorious conclusion if the
more democratic aims of the entente
and the United States are to be realized
in fu1l. That there will be no modera-
tion on the part of either the entente
or the United States is foregone con-
clusion. Therefore. 1t may be plainly
stated that the recent discussions Of
peace have resulted in naught. save the
OF the central powers, who, it is be-
1feved, may have been made to realize
through the statements of Premier
Lloyd George and President Wilson,
the futility of prolonged effort, and the
unjustness Of the German governments 5
position.
It is the possible action of the peoples
of Germany and Austria-Huneary that
next attracts interest. The peoples of
the central powers have within their
power to force more pacifist demands
upon the government IL this sentiment
can be crystalized into concrete effec-
tive action Whether or not this is pos
eible because of the grip the militarists
OF Germany have upon the affairs of
their realm is the subject of much con-
Secure and speculation. That 1t even
fually VIII come to pass that the kaiser
will take his orders from the people is
the confident belief of one school of
war critics. That the militarist ele-
ments Of the nation are too firmly en-
in
power Is the belief Of another Events
both In Germany and Austria during
the past week are of vital moment, they
shedding some light on the true situa-
fion.
Count Czernin, ,Austro-Hungarian for
kign minister. on the same day that
Won Hertling
GZernin Sneech spoke before
More Conciliatory. committee sne
peared before the reichsrath and stated
Austria's aims. His speech was more
conciliatory than that of Won Hertling.
between the demands of President Will
son and those of Austria Hungary and
That these two nations might take the
lead in furthering peace discussions be-
tween the various groups of belliger-
ents. He agreed to many OF the war
principles enunciated by America s
chief executive. declared that Poland
should never be permitted to stand in
the way Of an equitable adjustment
with Russia, but ended his statement
with the declaration that Austria Hun
gary would remain true to her prom
9ses to Germany:
1t is believed that the utterances of
Count Czernin, who is the chief advo-
cate Of peace without annexations and
1ndemnities' in the central powers, was
for the twofoid purpose of appeasing
the demands of the people of the dual
monarchy and at the same time offering
some sap to the German government.
Events in Austria, Hungary and Bo-
henia during the past week have
caused Austrian offcialdom to reckon
with the might of the people. Eight
days ago the workmen Of many of the
chief munitions factories of the nation
struck, being spurred on by the preach
ments Of the socialists who declared
that the pan-German policies of an
nexations should not be permitted to
stand in the way of an agreement with
the Russians and an end to the war
insofar as the Slavs were concerned
The strike. in fact. was protest
against any possible official action that
might be taken which precluded the
possibility of separate peace agree
ment with the Russians. 1t also was a
protest against the extremely serious
economic conditions which have grown
graver through the further reduction
of food supplies and rations. 1t was a
protest against the dilatory policy oil
: the government in bringing about the
long-promised electoral reforms. 1t was
* a protest against militarization Of the
Industries of the nation which woult
occasion further hardships rather thar
remedying the decidedly chaotic indus
trial conditions in the dual monarchy
1t Is estimated that more than a mil
lion men, women and children, al
y orkers In industries or trades. walked
lout IN advocacy of an early conclusion
nok Ipaco that GsnAral stable eonditioni