AUSTRIA IN TRAGIC PLIGHT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3119, 25 June 1917, Page 5

AUSTRIA IN TRAGIC PLIGHT

BEHIND THE SCENES IN HIGH POLITICS

HOW COUNT TISZA FELL FROM GRACE (Rec. June 24, 5.5 p.m.) . London, June 23. The "Daily Chronicle's" correspondent .at 'Amsterdam has learned the secret history of Count Tisza's fall. Although Count Tisza took a notable part in precipitating the war, his views last December underwent a dramatic change. He then becamo convinced that a Teutonic victory was impossible. He believed that Prussia' was sufficiently strong to care for herself, but he realised that Hungary was liable to a crushing invasion, and therefore that the national safety demanded an immediate peace. Count Tisza believed that this was obtainable by concessions, chiefly made by Austria. Thus Hungary would becomo a more influential partner in the Dual Monarchy. Count Tisza. was prepared to concede the restoration of Rumania.' '

.Then followed long conferences between Count Tisza and the Bmporor Karl, .Count Czernin (the Austrian Foreign Minister) strongly influencing them. Tho Empress Zita, who played a prominent pnrt in high, politics, informed Berlin of what wag on foot, causing a. panic in the Wilhelmstrosse (the German Foreign Office). Numerous conferences then occurred, resulting in Germany i threatening to drop Austria-Hungary, and enlarging upon the serious conse- ' quences of this action both during wartime and, m an economical sense, after the .war. The Emperor Karl was faced with a serious position, and '■ neked whether. Germany was capable of doing anything to hasten peace. Vit this stage arose the : suggestion of unrestricted submarine warfare. Neutral Governments were sounded, with satisfactory results, and the U-boats were unleashed. £■ Germany naturally demanded Count Tisza's dismissal, and the Emperor Karl found his opportunity in a difference with Count Tisza over the franchise question. Thus has Germany fettered Austria-Hungary, which is now in a tally tragio situation. A break with Germany would involve enormous possibilities of injury, and on the other hand the continuance of tho war presents equally hopeless pros-pects.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . . *

POLES ASSERT THEIR CLAIMS ■ DEMAND FOR CABINET RECONSTRUCTION. Amsterdam, June 22. Count Clam-Martinitz is negotiating to form a Provisional Government to pass a provisional Budget, after which he will resign. The Polish Party demanded as the price of its support the appointment of a civilian Governor in Galicia, and also the portfolios of Railways and Commerce. Count Clam-Martinitz agreed, except that the Poles will only be given the portfolio'of Agriculture or of Justice. ' —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ANOTHER HITCH IN THE CABINET READJUSTMENT (Ecc. Juno 24, 5.5 p.m.) Amsterdam, June 22. Count Clam-Martinitz, in view of the impossibility of forming a Cabinet, has asked the Emperor to entrust the task to someone else.—ltauter. NEW HUNGARIAN PREMIER'S WAR POLICY (Rec. June 24, 5.5 p.m.) Amsterdam, June 2.1. Count Esterhazy has pledged the new Hungarian Cabinet to suffrage reform. "Hungary," he Eays, "will remain faithful to her allies. The military situation is favourable, and our knowledge of our military and economic strength permits us without any appearance of weakness to reaffirm our willingness for a peace acceptable to our adversaries."—Aus.-rf.Z. Cable Assn.