The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-09-14
WHIPPED cUS WHINE.
AUSTRIAN PRIME MINISTER
MAKES PLEA FOR PEACE
DISCUSSION.

AUSTRIAN PRIME MIN1SlEh
MAKES PLEA FOR PEACE
DISCUSSION.
Refers To Horrors Of War and Crimes
Against Humanity Involved in
Further Prosecution of War by En-
tente Powers.
Amsterdam. Sept. 10.-An eN-
change OF, views between the centra
powers and the entente was tenta-
lively suggested by Baron Burlan
the Austro- o-Hungarian foreign min
ister, in an address to visiting Ger
naan newspaper men,. according to
Vienna dispatch today.
Such a discussion, said the foreign
minister, need not take the form OF
peace negotiations, but would have
as its purpose the consideration OF all
things which are keeping the bel
ligerentf powers apart.
Baron Burian announced his sug-
gestion in declaring that the adver,
saries Of the central powers need
only provide the opportunity "ln q
calm. exchange Of yiews-some sort
ofsdHect, informative. discussion is
thnkable5 which would be far from
being peace negotiations-of discus
singsand weighing everything which
today separates the belligerent par
ties and no further fighting will per-
haps be needed to bring them closer
together"
.sYhe question arises" said the for
seign minister. isn't it q crime
against humanity even to think OF
completely pulling down a. structure
which: has become historical, and
which certainly, here and there,
needs improvement, but is only ca
pabfe; of Improvement, in order to
found q paradise in future on its
ruins? The defect in this, however.
4s that IN accordance with the de-
structiye methods of our enemies l.
can be only created with q much too
great sacrifice.
Count the past hecatombs OF this
war. Think of those to come and
ask whether striving to attain war
aims atsssuch a price is justihable-
war aims in which the principle o.,
Justice is put foremost-:Without. in
vestigzting whether an understand.
ing could not be reached by fail,
application of that principle.
sIt, is untf1inkafde that even the
most confident hopes of final victory
could permit the enemy in the Ions
run to avoid considering whether
the most terrific exertioals and sac
rffces can. longer be justified in or
derstoscarry through principles which
ares not the enmy's monopoly or to
regulate the affairs of other peo-
ples.
g.I believe that careful and sincere
Investigation would bring, many on
the other side to realize that they
are often fighting for imaginary
things. It may be an ungrateful task
tos:want to commgnicate ones own
perceptions Of things to the enemy.
The, enemy group can, if it wishes.
convince itself that in all questions
Of humanity and justice. and of fu-.
tire international relations that it
wfffNencounter on the part Of our,
group no opposttii ion and sWiH be ln,
q: ssss rregressive as
pirations But at the same time il
VIII meet our defaEmination to 4coa-.
tinue steadfastly to stand up for ous
good right
Sour adversaries need only pro
vide an opportunity in a calm ex--
change of views-some sort Of di-
rect Informative discussion is think
able which would be far from beine:
peace negotiations-of discussing and
Weighing everything which today
separates the beIligerent parties, and
nos further fighting will, perhaps, be
needed to bring them closer togeth-
er.
s.But I would not sdelude with
baseless prospects of peace at a mo-
nnent; when the war fever still is
shaking the world I must. however.
talk to you of peace because we all
honestly want-it and because we are
certain there is an ever growing num-
Der of like minded persons in al
enemy countries.
I'VE desire to contribute to the
best of our ability to a mutual un-'
derstahding and help to pave a way
for conciliation. but so long as nee
essary we shall hold out in a loyal
and resolute joint defense"
Baron Burian concluded by exhort-
ing che press.to cooperate in the task
Of cuItivating this spirit which, he
said, animated the glorious troops
and helped the brave population at
home to bear all sufferings and priva.
tons"
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