IN AUSTRIA

Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1918, Page 3

IN AUSTRIA

AUSTRIA’S STRIKE. NOT ALL RESUMED. LONDON, Jan. 25. Forty per cent of the Austro-G'erman strikers have not resumed. Strikes continue in many industries with the centre in Bohemia. THE AUSTRIAN VIEW. CZERNIN’S SPEECH.

PARIS January 25. Count Czernin in a speech in the Eeichstrat, said it was not intended to demand a single square metre of Russian territory or a single centime of indemnity. The population of Poland shall decide their own fate. This quest,i'

must not delay peace a single day Interpretation of the peoples’ right* of free action caused a difference between Russia and Germany ; but i compromise must be reached. 'I hi difference is insufficient to cause cessation of the negotiations. When peace with Russia is secured, a world peace cannot be prevented . Wilson’s speech was an important advance towards the Austrian standpoint; but Austria would support Germany and Turkey to the utmost. Austria will reject all advice on the domestic affairs. Austria and America were practically agreed on the great principles of a now world settlement after the war, and our views on several concrete peace questions approach an agreement. Our differences aie

insufficient to prevent a complete agreement. An exchange of Austrian and American views might form a starting point for a conciliatory discussion between all the states, which had not yet entered the negotiations.

THE INTERPRETATION. WASHINGTON January 25. Count Czernin’s statement is interpreted as meaning that Germany cannot rely on Austria’s support in a war of conquest. The speeches make pence more remote. America adheres absolutely to President Wilson’s war aims. AUSTRIA’S STRIKE.

AMSTERDAM January 25. Forty per cent of the Austro-Ger-msn strikers have not yet resumed and strikes continue in many industries in the centre of Bohemia. It is reported that there has been a renewal of strikers in Vienna. • Austrian workers demand peace, an eight hour day, and the stoppage of all war industries. Several speakers at a prolonged meeting of workers in Vienna, reprosenting all Austria, declared that the strikes were only a preliminary skirmish in the great labour struggle. Censorship has suppressed the strong ost statements.

BIG STRIKE AT PRAGUE. BERNE, January 25. A hundred thousand have struck at Prague. COLLAPSE IN AUSTRIA. LONDON January 26Beturning officers from the southwest front state that the .Austrian Army is demoralised and there is a complete collapse of discipline like the Russians.

WIDESPREAD INDISCIPLINE. LONDON January 26. News from the Austrian front ic■veals .increasing indiscipline, and widespread fraternising. Officers are de- . fled by the solders who are demanding ") peace. It is reported that discontent is spreading on the German fronts. BUD A PBSTH STRIKE.

Received, this day at 8.45 a.m. AMSTERDAM, Jan. 27. The “E’erliner Tagchlatt” states a general strike at Buda Pesfcli commenced. on the morning of the 18th. Bosnian soldiers, with machine guns, surrounded the .inner city, and strongly occupied all tho bridges. The strikers massed in the outer portions of the capital and were not allowed to enter t,he inner city. Business was .entirely suspended and the shops closed. Twenty members of the labourers, sol dier.s. and students Union were arrested before the strike. VATICAN PLEASED. NEW YORK, aJnuary 27. A United Press telegram from Rome reports the Vatican regards Count Czernin’s speech as a positive stpp towards peace.