AUSTRIA’S PLIGHT.

Western Star, 20 March 1917, Page 2

AUSTRIA’S PLIGHT.

A curious light is thrown on the state of things in Austria by a letter from Vienna, published in an Italian newspaper. The letter, written by an Austrian politician, says:—“lf a referendum could be taken among our patriots, including those who have on their conscience to-day’s catastrophe, I believe that all of them would be disposed to sacrifice, without much remorse, any slice of territory to issue as soon as possible from the preseiit horrible situation. Our patriots do not confess it openly, because they are afraid, not of our own authorities, who at bottom think as they do, but of our unspeakable protectors in Berlin. The latter, themselves, take no other view, and are the first to give us to understand, without an apology, that if any concessions are to be made they will be at our expense. They only hesitate to say so openly for fear of making the enemy more exacting, and demanding, perhaps, some German territory too. Hence they shout to the four winds: ‘We are victorious, and ever victorious, and it is only out of magnanimity that we offer peace.’ Our protectors are mistaken, enough, if they think that the world is still afraid of-them, and that we shall submit much longer to having to fight the battles of the Roi de Prusse.”