AUSTRIA AND PEACE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 276, 18 May 1917, Page 4 (Supplement)

AUSTRIA AND PEACE.

The cabled messages regarding the May Day celebrations on the Continent, and more y.rticularly in Austria, are suggestive of at least the possibility of a breakaway from Germany being not unlikely to occur in the near future. For some time past' the news from Austria has been similarly suggestive, but it has been more vague and indefinite than is the case with these later messages. They record, i.s a fact, that "sixty mass meetings adopted identical resolutions demanding peace without annexation or indemnities." A series of organised peace demonstrations of this magnitude, coupled with the complete cessation of work, is certainly significant. It will be well, however, to await the authentic confirmation cf this significant news before attempt'ng anything in the nature of confident prophecy. The most that it is safe to say at the present moment is that it will not be surprising if important political events occur as the Allies' successes in the West continue to develop, and there is more probability of the Emperor Charles deciding to throw off the German yoke than there was of the late Emperor Francis Joseph doing so. 111 his manifesto issued after ascending the throne, the young Emperor said : " I shall do everything to byn'sh the horrors and sacrifices of war in the shortest time, and to win back for ray peoples the sorely missed blessings of peace." Later 011 he was reported to have granted an audience to the leaders of the Austrian an I Hungarian Socialists when he discussed with them the peace movement. Although he stated at tne German Emperor's birthday luncheon that the success of their allied arms had inspired him with confidence regarding future operations, he has not since evinced any very hopeful views regarding the ultimate successful outcome of the war, and appears to have resented Germany's decision to involve the United States in the struggle against them. Germany has more than om e shown that, if any territory is io be sacrificed in order to effect peace, she ha? in great objection to her allies making the sacrifice, and it would not be surprising if Austria came to the conclusion sooner or later that she could effect a better bargain by opening negotiations first.