SPEECH BY COUNT CZERNIN.

Otago Witness, Issue 3333, 30 January 1918, Page 19

SPEECH BY COUNT CZERNIN.

POSSIBILITY OF A SEPARATE PEACE. Count Czernin', in the course of his speech in the Reichsrath, said it was not intended to demand a single square metre of Russian territory nor a single centime of indemnity. Continuing, Count C'zei-nin said: "The population of Poland shall decide its own fate. This question must not delay _ peace for a single day. The interpretation of the people s right of free action has caused a difference between Russia and Germany, but a compromise must be reached. The difference is not swfficient to cause a cessation of the negotiations. When the peace of Russia had been secured a world peace could not be prevented. Mr Wilson's speech was an important advance towards the Austrian standpoint, but Austria would support Germany and Turkey to the utmost. Austria would reject all advice on her domestic affairs. " Austria and America," he said "practically agree'on the great principles of a new world settlement after the war, and our views on several concrete peace questions approach agreement. .Our differences are not sufficient to prevent complete agreement. Exchanges of Austrian and American views might form the starting point for a conciliatory discussion between all the States whnch have not yet entered into negotiations." A PEACE OFFER. A United Press telegram from Rome rei ports that the Vatican regards Count Czernin's speech in the Reichsrath as a positive step towards peace. Count Czernin is making overtures to the United States for peace. The overtures are regarded as being merely an academit feeler. Count Czernin informed Austrian delegations that the text of his speech was forwarded to President Wilson before its delivery. He refused to discuss with the delegations Germany's internal affairs, but frankly referred to the difference between the Austrian and German war aims. Germany possessed extensive colonies, which she had to fight to get back; therefore Germany would not consent to abandon the occupied territories in Europe without guarantees for the restitution of .her colonies. Austria was differently situated, standing everywhere against enemy territory except in Eastern Galicia. It, is reported in Petrograd that Austria has declared her readiness to conclude peace without Germany. She will accept a democratic programme. LONGING FOR PEACE. A well-informed traveller from Austria says: " Every Austrian ridicules the idea of fighting on for Alsace-Lorraine, Gerannexation of Belgium, the freedom of the seas, and other items comprised in the German Jingoes' programme. Austria wants an Austrian peace. The overwhelming mass of the people support the right of self-determination of their destiny by the occupied territories. Germany does not want peace. Austria does; but will she be offered it?" General von Arz, Austrian Chief of. Staff, interviewed at Albertzert, said : "The desire for peace is general. Nobody contemplates annexations, but the evacuation of conquered territories is difficult, owing to the disorganisation of the Russian army. We have costly works in these regions, and largely depend on them for supplies of food." | A CANDID CRITIC. The Berlin papers, except Vorwarts, maintained complete silence regarding Austria. Vorwarts, comimenting on the Austrian situation declares : ''We are walking on the edge of a precipice. Ger-•-many must disavow a policy of annexations, otherwise we are in danger of losing •Austria as an ally." Vorwarts was suspended for three days for its frank comments on Austrian affairs. Vorwarts reports that Herr Ibert, addressing the Reichstag's Main Committee, violently condemned the suppression of a paper for criticising von Hoffmann and reporting a general strike of which the whole world was aware. Ibert added: " The German proletariat salute the strikers. Labour must convince the German workers, where necessary, to use their power to combat all efforts which are designed to 'prevent an early peace, based on conciliation and right." The State Department, Washington, Is advised that there is increased restiveness amongst the Slav population of Austria, and particularly the Czechs. The Austrian upheavals arc assuming serious proportions. } CZECH-SLOVAK AIMS REJECTED Seidler (Austrian Premier), replying in the Reichsrath, rejected the Czech resolution in favour of an independent Czech-Slovak State. This provoked wild scenes, the Czech members violently gesticulating. They surrounded von Seidler, and shouted "Liar! Resign!'' Finally they compelled the abandonment of the speech. Von Seidler indicated that he had the Emperor's authority to state that every Austrian Government would resist by all the means in their power any attempt to establish home rule for the Czechs. He said the resolution aimed at destroying the foundations of the State.