FRENCH ATTITUDE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 9263, 8 April 1918, Page 5

FRENCH ATTITUDE.

CUNNING SNARE AVOIDED. (Per Press Asso<:iaCK>:i—Copyright;. -, i : AMSTERDAM, April 5. : A ft&mi-om'ciai' message from Vienaa . tp-ropos of M.. Clemeocfean's denial ci" A\iy statement regarding peace feelerc! •>a.ys :—Count Czernin states, that honstrneted Count R^yojatora, Couifcillor, >f the legation in SwiLserland, to con■3i%/with Count Anna^Kl, whom tbo French War Office liad .sent to Switzerand for that- ; purpose. . Interviewe..; raze held at Flaibourg on February 2, iiid tlie discrussiona sought to find a. ;asi.s i'or negotiations for a general jeaco. Count,, Reventera requested 3ount> Armaud to inforei M. Cltsmeini;sau that Count Czerniti desired to legotiate with the French representajivjb and believed that success was po«jsible if France. would . renounce lior Kspii'jitions to recover Alsace and Lor-.. vaine. Count Armaud 3at«r informed} Oount Reventera in M. ClemenceauV? name that the latter could not accept th© renunciation, of .Alsace-Lorraino.,. md peace pourparlers'-' 1 therefore weid; •lseless. '■•'.■ "'■'■ '■•'■■•:-. ■':

■' ■ » NEW YORK, April 6/ The. "New Yord' WorM'e'* Rome : corvespondenif; states'' that, in contrast f<ej Oount.;Czei;nin\s.speechj' ether Austrioro■ I itatesraen'-artV making " •Kpe^clicß"; 'do- ■ landing, the annexation of the invader?''* Italian'provinces. (Received April 8. 10 a.m.) jPAHtS,. April 7, . i The French, G-ov;&rirment roaii.se.., th^* Austria and Germany could not be;;S6p-;. ara-ted except by a.•:, ..■ military ,defeat. ;• Even unofficial negotiations. ; with Aue-, : . tria would only disturb Italy and Serbia., .'therefore France carefully avoidy ad Czemin's cunnmg .snsu'e. The Government recognise that^ ibo, object of liis recent g^och. vra« U> placate the ■ Austrian**, who are .opposed, to participation on the western front, and also to throw the fcla/me on th-o ■Entente of continuing tiio war.