Evening star., 1925-10-18
Page Tells of His Efforts
10 ''Sell' Lloyd George Austrian Peace

Balfour's mission for which | tina nked him. lie
Remarked: Il do not know how Balfour can now
be spared. but nothing else is important as
giving your Government all the information we
have He feels content with the present mill
tary situation in France. but he is much con
cerned everybody here is who knows the
facts. about the submarine warfare. He spoke
with the greatest appreciation of your last
speech in Congress and Of your leadership.
He added: People talking much about
absolute monarchs: there is no monarch, thank
God. in Europe, who has the power of the
. President"
Ills conversation throughout was fun Of APP
preciation. PAGE.
WHY did President Wilson let two months
elDse between the dismissal of Bernstorf
and the declaration of war against Germany?
one reason for the Presidents delay appears
in an important letter written Mr.. Wilson on
February -. The President was attempting
10 detach Austria Hungary from the Germanic
alliance and cause that empire to make peace
The United States did not sever\diplomatic
lations with Austria Hungary when IT sent
Count Bernstorff home; and. in fact. the
United States did not declare against the
dual monarchy until December, 1917.
just what the effect would have been had
Austria Hungary separated from Germany in
February. following the American break, Is
conjectual; II might have been extremely i'm
portant; in fact, there possibility that
such development in itself might have
brought the European an end. One DOS
sible outcome would have been the shifting OF
the Italian army TO the western front-though
this is indeed doubtful: al least it would have
made unnecessary British and French activi-
ties in Italy and the energies of the British
Navy in Mediterra mean waters could hav been
transferred to the area south nd west of Ire
land. This in itself would have been a great
gain. The elimination OF Austria would have
meant the speedy collapse of Bulgaria and 'rur-
key, for these nations, their communications
with Germany severed. woulS have been help
less and a speedy prey to the allies This would
have ended the favorte pant;erman 'AIittel-
Europa" scheme and destroyed long gcherished
dream of Germanic empire extending from
the North Sea TO the Persian Gulf.
The separate of Austria i Hungary from
Germany could ii have been accomplished at
that time. would have been great achieve
nent, and the plan naturally enlisted the
hearty cooperation of Page. There was. of
course. practically chance that il could
ceed Italy irreparable obstacle. The
terms she would demand of Austria would be
terms that Austria. desperate as was her con
dition at that time. could hardly he expected
TO grant. But the incident has great interest. if
for nothing else for the light which il shed
, upon the methods and the temperament of Mr.
Lloyd George.
The proposal at first cordially re-
ceived by the prime minister. Page has left
this record Of his conversation on the subject:
make peace that will open the blockade on the
south: shall have to grant her more than
we wish TO grant. ETC. etc.-alI rapidly, like a
machine gun. And he asked me for the present
not TO mention the subject any one not even
to any member of his cabinet.