CZERNIN'S SNARE

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 83, 8 April 1918, Page 6

CZERNIN'S SNARE

AVOIDED BY FRANCE. (Received 10.20 a.m.) PARIS, April 7. The French Government realised that Austria and Germany could not be separated except by military defeat, and that even unofficial negotiations with Austria would only disturb Italy and Serbia. Therefore France carefully avoided Count O.erniii's cunning snare. The Government recognised that the .object of the speech ,was to placate tlie Austrians, who were opposed to participation on the West front, and also to throw the blame on the Entente of continuing the war. i Tt is officially stated that when M. Clemenceau assumed office conversations '.were going on with Switzerland. M-1 Clemenceau did not interfere, but in-i structed M. Armand, the French Ambassador, to listen and say nothing.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.) HYPOCRITICAL CLAIMS. (Received 11.45 a.m.) i LONDON, April 7. Lord Robert Cecil, Parliamentary! Secretary to the Foreigii Office, replying f,O Count Czernin's speech, said that 'Count Czernin reflects Prussian ideals and policy. He claims with great audacity that the Central Powers' peace ideals (were based on self-determination, no iannexations or indemnities. All these ; claims were hypocritical. In the annexed j territories the only people considered u-ore the German barons. No attempt 'was made to consider the people, who were treated as mere counters, without reference to racial conditions. Instead of indemnities Rumania was forced to give an oil monopoly, while all food in the .Ukraine .was seized.— (A. and N.Z.)