The Dominion WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1918. DRIFTING APART

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 131, 20 February 1918, Page 6

The Dominion WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1918. DRIFTING APART

It grows increasingly evident that in assisting tho collapse of lluseia and in encouraging the efforts of tho Bolsheviki , Germany has secured little more than a temporary advantage, and one- for which the Hohenzollerns and the military clique may ultimately bo called on to pay a heavy price. Apart from the fact that the German Socialists have been encouraged, and strengthened in their work of d'ernocratisation by the ease with which the overthrow of tho Russian autocracy was accomplished- and by the possibilities of peace opened up by the subsequent attitude of tho Bolshevik loaders,' the war-weary and intern-ally-divided Austro-Hungarian allies of Germany aro aho being stirred by their anxiety for peace to assert their rights. Germany's plans, plainly designed to dupe the Russians and take advantage of their disordered state to further the ends which the German war lords have always had in view, Eeom likely to react on the heads of tho plotters. Having raised tho hopes not only of tho Russians but of the German people and their allies, the Austro-Hungarians, of an immediate peace on the Eastern front on terms which would assure the racial independence of the peoples affected, tho possibility of that promise not being ■fulfilled is now causing a flood of trouble within the Central Empires which may end in a serious Bplit between the two allies as well as internal disorders in each country on a greater scale than ever. Oablo messages from Copenhagen today, based on news from Austria, make it abundantly clear that Germany can only prosecute her designs against Russia at the risk of alienating the support of her principal ally. The newspaper opinions quoted aro significant for two reasons. In the first place at no etago of the war has the- Austrian

Press been permitted to speak out with such plainness against German war policy. Jn tho second, the newspapers quoted represent in certain respects the most powerful extremes of Austrian opinion. The iXcuc Frcic I'rcin is at the head of tho Vienna Press, and it stands for the Prussianised part of the bureaucracy, viz., German ascendancy in Austria, maintenance of dualism, alliance ■ for aggressive, purposes with the- German Empire. It is described, however, as being profoundly opportunist, and trims its sails to suit the needs of tho hour. It may be taken as u very sure sign indeed of Government as well as popular opinion that when The A'euc Freie Press takes a stand against Germany it does so not out of any lack of sympathy with tho aggressive policy of the German war lords, but because the situation in Austria leaves no other course, open to it. In the case of The Zeil, the position is somewhat different. It has throughout the war taken an openminded viow of events, and has shown itself opposed to the excesses of national Chauvinism. As was to be expected, it is more clear-cut and emphatic than The JVeue Freie Press in its warning to Germany. So far as Austria is concerned, it states, the war is practically finished, and it warns Germany that she must not interfere in the negotiations between Count Czernin and President Wilson, which the Austrian people .so plainly hope will lead them to the desired haven of peace. Germany's position in the East to-day, in spite of—or perhaps because of —Russia's internal disorders and military collapse, must occasion her rulers the gravest concern. In whatever direction they may turn, they find themselves confronted with the same spirit of unrest and a growing recognition by their dupes of their treacherous intentions. The Boisheviki are antagonised ; the Poles realise that they have been betrayed, and that tho promised independence is as far off as ever: the German people see the hoped-for peace settlement in the East drifting away from them; the Austro-Hungarians, as indicated by to-day's cablegrams, arc alarmed and to all appearances on the verge of asserting their right to act independently of their ally. Whatever course Germany may take in an endeavour to escape the immediate difficulties and dangers arising out of tho state of affairs in the East, no step seems open to her which will, not servo to strengthen the growing demand in Austria-Hungary for an immediate peace. If Germany the demand now made through Tne Austrian Press, then it is inevitable that Austro-Hungary will want to go a step further. If Germany insists in continuing on tho course she is now pursuing, then she faces tho danger that her action may plunge Austria into revolution or provoke a severance of existing ties between the two nations. The situation is one fraught with tremendous possibilities. When he made his recent references to Count Czernin's speech, President Wilson judged shrewdly tho temper of the people of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. A writer in a recent issuo of the New York Outlook made the remark that millions of the subjects of AustriaHungary, with which America is at war, are openly American allies. There are thousands of the subjects of Austria-Hungary in the United States who are technically enemy aliens, but who are eager to fight against Austria-Hungary for the liberties of their oppressed compatriots. The United States is in a position that no other of the Allies is in to powerfully influence opinion in Austria-Hungary, and there can be little doubt that President Wilson's recent speech, in which ho brushed aside German pretensions and opened tho way to separate negotiations with Austria, has not been wasted. Russia's .secession as an active partnor in the war was a heavy blow to the Allies, but it has had its compensations, and may prove an important factor in dividing and , weakening our enemies.