Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-06-03
THE AUSTRIAN TERMS

The terms of peace offered by the peace conference
to Austria were presented yesterday to the Austrian. dele
cation. So far as the conditions are similar tho terms
are substantially like those presented to Germany, but
certain important political differences have made some
wide departures necessary. Though the reigning family
had fled and the element of chaos had been introduced
into the government, the German empire, territorially and
politically, remained practically intact after the military
activities of the war were over. The peace terms do not
affect the political integrity Of that entity. The peace
terms provide for the separation from tho former Ger
man empire Of certain territory lying on it's outskirts,
and its incorporation under other national controls. but
the remainder of the empire remains As 1, was saa it
could be dealt with as a whole, Tho Austrian empire
was a looser confederation. and even in its paansies, days
it was not homogeneous, Austria and Hungary were sep,
arate Kingdoms under the same kins. and the ever~pres-
ent desire for separation WAS given effect by the &C: %
the Hunsarians themselves, who have chosen 10 cree, s.
state independent entirely Of their former associate. Soae-
mia has a long history as an Independent Kingdom. ana
it has been retained in the Austrian group largely by
force OF arms. During the war the Allies and The United
othcr Slavic territory, as also the independence o: smc
Slar peoples toward the south. Other similar acts during
the war have reduced what was once the Austrian en-
pre- to little more than the former kingdom of Austria.
II was necessary to take all this into account in the prep
aration of the peace terms. The division Of the old Aus
ro-Hungarian territory which occupies such a prominen,
place in the peace terms is, therefore. not the act Of out
siders. but that of the peoples themselves inha biting the
territory affected.
The splitting up of the empire complicates the speci-
flcatlons. But in general the same principle seems to
have been applied in the case of Germany. Austria. the
tool, doubtless, of Germany, was the locale Of the wars
origin, and the Teutonic influence dominated the whole
situation. Austria, like her more powerful neigh Dor, is
to be rendered incapable of again disturbing the worlds
peace. and to this end she is to be deprived of everything
cient for the preservation Of order within hy own Dor.
ders..
The elaborate Specifications with reference to the
rights of persons Of various races and creeds residing
within Austria are undoubtedly prompted by the peculia,
conditions which prevail, the population of that country
being More varied than any other inhabiting a European
country, with the possible exception of Russia. q
The financial terms have not been completed. and
this will be a work of no little difficulty, for the secedine
portions OF the empire will naturally be required to as.
sumo some portion of the war debt of the country 81
which they were former members.
Doubtless the Austrian terms will be criticised in the
same manner and from the same standpoint as were the
German terms. 1t will be charged, as" it was charged ir
the case of Germany, that the terms have been inspired
by a determination to obliterate the nation. There neeo
be not attempt to disguise the fact that there has been 2
very distinct and settled determination to obliterate for.
istence of Germany and Austria as military nations.