WHAT NOTE SAYS

Grey River Argus, 17 September 1918, Page 3

WHAT NOTE SAYS

The Austrian Note to the Pop-3 fays that a conscientious examination of the situation of all the belligerents no longer leaves room for doubt that all of them long for the speedy enl i * the bloody struggle. Hitherto it has not been possible & to create the preliminary conditions that are calculate ed to bring peace efforts nearer to'realisation and bridge the gap separating the belligerents. The Not« reviews the previous peace efforts, and adds that, though discussions prove that differences still separating the belligerents, conception of peace conditions are not slight, nevertheless an atmosphere is formed which no longer excludes the discussion of peace. The Austro-Hungarian Government is conscious that after the devastation of Avar, it will be impossible to re-establish the tottering world in order by a single stroke. The path of the Pope will, the Note says, be toilsome and wearisome, yet it is our duty to tread it? Even if a military victory were attainable, it would necessitate a further protracted and bloody struggle, but even a victorious peace would no longer be able to make good the consequences of such a policy which would be fatal to the whole of Europe. There is only one form of peace which could righteously adjust the still-divergent conceptions of the various opponents. This would be the peace that would be desired by all the peoples. With this consciousness, and while unswervingly endeavouring to labour in the interests of peace, the AustroHungarian Government seeks to bring about a direct discussion . between the enemy powers. "The earnest will to peace of the broad class of the populations of all the States that are suffering from this war," says the Note, "is undisputable." • The existence o f this rapprochmenc in the case of individual controversal questions, as well as a more conciliatory atmosphere, seem to give a certain guarantee that fresh peace offers might, at present offer the possibility of success. * A partial turning from many extremist concrete war aims has become visible, and a certain agreement relative . to the basic principles that should underlie a world peace has manifested itself. ! In the support of a growing spirit towards peace, the message points out that while the Allies' rep'v to President Wilson made demanls which amounted to the dismemberment pi Austro T Hungary, and the .diminution and the profound internal transformation of Germany, as well as the destruction of Turkey's European, ownership, these "Allied demands (whos« realisation was based on the supposition of an overwhelming victory) wore later modified i n many Ericsnte declarations, or were partly dropped Ti Th i £J ote q u °tes 3Tr Half our and Mr ■Lloyd George's speeches in j.upport or this view. After asserting that [ the Cer;tral Powers are only waging a war o f defence, for the integrity and M'ciirity of their own territories, t.ie Note, proceeds to say that an agree ntnt or»iy on general principles is not sufficient. There is the more impo.-tuwt matter or reaching an accord on-xhs int«ipretation and application of such principles to the individual concrete war and peace questions. In this connection there are no serious prospects of reaching a n understanding by continuing to discuss peace after the methods hitherto followed. Another method should be chasen, one which will enable a direct verbal discussion to be held, solely between representatives of the various Governments concerned. Then as soon as an agreement is reached on the fundamental principles, an effort must be made concretely to apply them to individual peace questions. The Note explains that war activities would not be interrupted, and the discussions would only go as far as the participants considered they offered prospects of success. The Note maintains that old^ misunderstandings might be removed by .such a discussion and many newthings percaved. ' < All the belligerents owe it to humanity jointly ,to examine whether, • after a costly and undecided struggle, it is possible to end- this terrible conflict. The Note states that the* Governments of neutral States have also been acquainted with the proposal. The Note adds that the close accord existing between the four "allied powers of the Central Alliance warrants the assumption that AustroHungary's allies , whereto the proposal was being sent, will share in the view expressed in the Note,