New-York tribune., 1918-01-26

not recognize the Kiev Rada as repre-
senting the Ukrainian people, and
would not recognize any agreement
made by that Rada, and that the Re
public of Workmen and Peasants was
sending their own delegation to Brest-
Ltovsk to support the delegation of
all Russia.
"rhere is new difficulty" said
Count Czernin, because we do not
wish to meddle in The internal affairs
Of Russia. But if the way is once
cleared other difficulties will not arise.
We will agree with the Ukrainian Re-
public that the old frontiers of Russia
and Austria-Hungary will also apply
to the Ukraine"
Poland's Frontier
Regarding the Poland frontier,
which up to the present has not been
exactly fixed, We do not desire any
thing at all from this new state. The
people of Poland must freely, and
settle their own destiny. For my part
attach no particular Importance to
the form in which their vote on this
subject is taken, but it will please me
all the more if this vote reflects the
precise will Of the majority of the
people, for l wish for Poland free
decision.
II see in the desire of Poland the
only guarantee for lasting harmony.
l am irrevocably Of the opinion that
the Polish question ought not to delay
peace for day. If. after the conclu-
sion of peace, Poland wishes to come to
us, we will welcome her Willingly.
The Polish question cannot and will
not endanger the question Of peace"
Count Czernin Said he would willing
lv have seen Poland participating in
the peace negotiations, for in his view
Poland was an independent state.
But" he added, "as the Russian gov
ernment did not recognize the present
Polish government as qualified to rep
resent their country. we, in order not
to cause conflict, did not insist. The
question certainly is important, but it
undoubtedly is more important still to
remove difficulties which are calculated
to delay the negotiations.
Stands by Germany
81 think there is no harm in stating
that | regard the recent proposals of
President Wilson as an appreciate ap-
proach to the Austro- Hungarian point
Of view, and that to some of them Aus
tria- Hungary joyfully could give her
approval. But she must first lay down
this principle insofar as these
propositions concern her allies, whether
in the case of Gcrmany's possession of
Belgium or in the case of Turkey-Aus-
tria- a-Hungary, faithful to her engage
ments to fight to the end in defence Of
her allies, will defend the possessions
of her war allies as she would her own.
That is the standpoint of our allies, in
regard to which there is perfect reci-
procity."
Count Czernin proceeded to declare
that he must politely, but categorical
~, refuse as to the manner in which
Austria and Hungary should manage
their internal administration, and he
asserted that there was not more
democratic Parliament in the world
than the Austrian Parliament, which,
in agreement with the other author
ized constitutional organizations. alone
has the right to decide the internal
affairs of Austria.
Referring to President Wilson's peace
programme, Count Czernin said that
he had no objection to the suppress
sion of secret diplomacy, although he
doubted whether that method was in
every case the most practical or rapid
way to arrive at results The public
discussion of diplomatic treaties might,
for example, in the case Of economic
agreements make impossible the con-
clusion of such agreements which are
nothing but commercial transactions
and might increase friction between
two states.
Count Czernin said as to the second
point in President Wilson's peace
aims, freedom of the seas, the Presi-
dent had responded to the views of all
and that he (Czernin) absolutely and
entirely supported this paragraph. Re-
garding Paragraph ) in President Will
sons proposals the removal Of eco
nomc barriers and the establishment
of equality of trade conditions-C
C2crnin said:
"Ths article, which pronounces in Il
formal manner hostility against
future economic war is so just and
reasonable, and its application so Of
ten has been urged by US, that we have
nothing to add to it,"
Count Czernin proceeded:
1--WE also are supporters of an inde-
pendent Polish state, which would in
cludc all territories and populations
which indisputably are Polish On this
point also we believe we should quickly
come to an understanding with Presi-
dent Wilson.
League Of Peoples
"Finally. in his idea Of league Of
Ieoplcs, the President probably will
meet with no opposition in the mon
archy. We therefore arc in agreement
IN the main. Our views are Identical
not only on the broad principles re-
garding new organization OF the world