Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-28
AUSTRIA READY TO QUIT,
ACCORDING TO DISPATCH
Says Relations With Teutons Are
Strained Almost to Break
ing Point.
DISAGREEMENT OVER RUSSIA
Serious Conflict Arises Between Two
Nations Which Germany Is De-
termined to Settle by Violence, IL
Necessary.
rBy Associated Press. !

By NS3octa TOD PFcSs.
WASHINGTON, February "I.--Fur-
thcr evidence OF The growing strain in
relations between Germany and Aus
tria over the refusal of the latter to
participate in the removed attack upon
Russia is given in an official disra tch
received here to-day from France. 1t
quotes the Austrian Premier a5 form
a,l% refterating on February - that
austria Hungary will take no part in
military action against Russia or
Rounania and Will not send her troops
into Ukraine.
The dispatch follows:
Charles !. paid visit TO William
II. the END OF February. Ludeudorf:
was present At the interview. II VIC
arc 10 judge from The tone OF the in
terview. it must have been lacking
in cordially. There seems TO be liz
tic doubt but what serious conflict
has broken out during the week be-
tween the courts OF Vienna and Berlin,
ana which Germany Is determined to
settle. if need be, by violent measures.
The situation or the dual monarchy
is such that tho Vienna government
in ordor to avert catastrophe, has
been obliged to distinguish, by means
Of public declarations, its own policy
from that of Germany. The report
that OF the conferences OF February
II HertlinE and Ludendorff had de-
cided 10 pay no attention to the Rus
sian dcmobiliza ticn and to prepare to
begin again the conflict on the east
front caused great stir throughout
Austria. II vas not simply tho dis
sent!ng natioul'ities--thc Czcch9. the
SlovcncS or the PoIes--who do not de-
sire to fight any moro, but IT is the
mass OF the population OF German
origin who refuse to sacrifice them
selves any longer 10 assure the triumph
Of Prussian imperialism.
IAN official note of the 18th had an
nounccd that Austria, FOR her part.
would continue to consider tic var as
terminated with Russia and would alb
stain from taking part in tho opera
tons planned b.. the German command
second note, cf The 10Th. repeated
the same statement. When asked to
give further particulars at the sitting
OF the chamber ON the 22ud, tho Aus
TRAN Premier formally stated:
THE words uttered by different
Deputies have proved that the cxpla-
nation which has been furnished up to
tho present by me have not been suf-
hciently explicit. I repeat. therefore.
that Austria Hungary viii participate
in no way in the military action which
is now being carried on by Germany
against Russia J repeat that there is
uo question of having our troops pen
erat" into Ukrania. Wit. whom we arc
at peace. | repeat that the arlnistice
exists between AuStro-liungary and
Roumania, and that VIC are only con-
siderins entering as early as posa ;ble
int peace conversations with this
country
These declaratlonc are serious.
Without a doubt III his speech on the
l2th OF February. Seyoler pleaded his
fidelity To the alliance. Eut more and
moro Germany runs the risk OF Sc ling
Austria and, after her. Bulgaria and
Turkey. take a positive attitude. and.
practically Withdrawing from the
struggle. witness as spectators the con
tinuation OF hostili1les."