The Dominion. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1918. PROSPECTS OF REVOLUTION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 19, 17 October 1918, Page 4

The Dominion. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1918. PROSPECTS OF REVOLUTION

Phesidest Wilson's decision to make a separate reply to the Austrian Peace Note, now or a littlo later, seems to be well advised; in view of the internal conditions* of the_ Dual Monarchy. So far as tho existing governments of the two countries are concerned there is no distinction to be drawn between Austria-Hungary and Germany. Whatever their present inclination to seek refuge maybe tho men who still hold the reins of power in the Dual Monarchy are closely identified with the worst aspects of German policy. Bui a real distinction appears in the fact that whereas the authority of the German Government has never yet been seriously challenged from within that of the AusEfo-Eun-garian Government is vehemently challenged by three-fifths of the people to whom it 1 extends. It may be taken for granted that in framing liis -separate rep!"/ to Austria ■President Wilson will :na"':c no departure from, the stand [taken by the Allies in refusing to consider an armistice. _ But it is likely_ also that he will seize the opportunity to emphasise the fact that the Allies are fighting not as the enemies but as the liberators of ■ the Slavs and other subject races of the Dual Monarchy. As afJairs are shaping within the borders of the Monarchy tho effect of a communication framed on these lines may be profound and far-reaching. Recent reports have declared that Austria is crumbling, that revolution is approaching and cannot . be stopped. There_ are substantial reasons for believing that this is an accurate statement of the-case, and it is not impossible that the revolution'which is visibly in prospect may be hastened by a judicious pronouncement on behalf of the Allies.

, It is, of course, every whit as necessary that the Allies should be on their guard against trickery, and 'dissimulation on the part of the Austro-Hungarian Government as in the case of the German Government. The whole policy of the present rulers of the Dual Monarchy is based upon a determination to maintain the domination of the minority over the Slav and Latin majority, and upon a. perception that this domination can only be maintained, with German backing and support. While the fortune of war appeared to smile upon the Central Empires the subject peoples of AustriaHungary, were kept down- by brute force and ruthless terrorism. As war • prospects darkened tho Austro-Hungarian Government ostensibly changed its policy towards the subject races to one of conciliation, but in spite of surface appearances and some alterations in the personnel of Ministries there is no doubt that its essential aims are unaltered. Hussarek, the Austrian Promier who has just resigned, took office a. month or two ago allegedly to carry out extensive reforms. The ceritral feature of his programme was the transformation of Austriarjungary into a confederation of national States—German, , Czech, Polish, Southern Slav, and Hungarian. Within this federation, it was declared, every nationality was to'find_"the satisfaction of its rightful claims." That Hussabek has retired baffled after a brief and inglorious experience in office gives no occasion for surprise. 'Bitter experience has taught the subject races of the Monarchy the folly and futility of placing any reliance in German and Magyar promises and professions, and at the same time the events of the war have coniirmed the determination of these races to be satisfied with nothing, loss than complete emancipation 'from the German-Magyar yoke. Evidence on this point was conclusive months ago, and even German newspapers were constrained to admit the fact. _ For instance, the Frankfurter Zeitvng, commenting in August last on the internal state of the Dual Monarchy, declared itself sceptical of the chances of a settlement on the federal ■ basis proposed by Hussarek.

Inner'peace in Austria (it observed) meets with just the same 'difficulties as the idea of n, peace by understanding does among the nations of the world. The hope of final victory stands in its way. The Slavs have always been against the alliance with the German Empire, and would like to dam the tide of PanGermanism by means of a closer alliance with Germany's enemies, while the German elements, on the other hand, naturally lean toward Germany. So domestic peace in the Dual Monarchy will depend largely on the final issue of the world/war. Tho admission that a majority of the population of the Monarch)' "would like to dam tho tide of PanGermanisni by means of a closer alliance with Germany's enemies" is remarkable as'coming from a German newspaper, but there is no doubt that it is in accordance with the facts. _ * The position taken by tho Czechoslovaks and the Southern Slavs and their alliance and military cooperation with the Entente aro matters of familiar knowledge. The Poles have given, only less striking proofs of their determination to achieve unfettered national unity. A full disclosure of tho Polish national will has been hampered by the fact that a large proportion of the Poles are directly overawed by military force.' The position has been obscured also by the circulation of Qerman-concocted lies to tho effect that the Poles aro content in servitude. A case in point is tho story, now officially repudiated by the Polish Council in London, that the people of Russian Poland are anxious that the German occupation of thoir country should be But in spite of all that terrorism and falsehood can do there is no room for doubt regarding the hopes and desires that animate a vast majority of the Polish race. Few are bettor qualified to speak on this point than General Hallek, the commander of the Polish "Iron Brigade," which fought the Germans after the "peace" of Brcst-Litovsk, and subsequently, in face of desperate odds, contrived to reach the Murman Coast. When he was interviewed by a Daily Chronicle correspondent at Paris Genekal Hallee/ declared that all Poles were now heart and soul with the Allies. Poles, he i said, were marching from all the

ends of the earth to fight under their own ilag, and to recover, with the help of the Allies, their national freedom and sovereignty.

As to those at home (lie added) who may appear still to act slowly in the .political field, let it not be supposed that they are neglecting opportunities. For the moment a revolution is impossible. Even in Austria, although it might seem to observers here an easy matter for the Poles to join with the .Czecho-Slovaks and begin a movement behind the front, the moment is not ripe. For the sake of the national cause it may be wiser not to embark upon premature action, which might only result in checking the general plans and delaying the final explosion. Bo patient, then, and if you see the Poles continuing to abstain from active opposition in 'the enemy council.", do not make the mistake of imagining that they are lukewarm partisans of the cause. They are, merely biding their time. _ -^

The moment which had not arrived when General Haller, _ splice may now be very near at hand. The German-Magyar tyranny is tottering. Germany's developing defeat and the opening of the Balkan corridor mean that it is fatally weakened and laid open.-to attack. The Allies can no more compromise with the present Government of the Dual Monarchy than' with the Government of Germany. But the reply which President Wilson' is to make to the Austrian Note will carry a message to the thirty million Slavs and other subject peoples in the Monarchy,'■_ whom the Allies are.pledged to liberate, as well as to their oppressors. He has told/the German people that it is within their choice, by overthrowing their autocratic government, to in some degree smooth the way to peace. "Whatever the effect of this declaration may be in _ Germany it seems in every way likely that_ a similar declaration may_ tell with infinitely greater effect in the case of the Dual Monarchy, and that revolution within its borders may simplify the task of the Allied armies, both in the Eastern war area and in the final struggle with Germany.