Austria

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 82, 10 April 1915, Page 5

Austria

A DRAMATSC SURPRISE.

4 ALLEGED POURPARLES WITH MEMBERS OF ENTENTE.

(Received 9 a.m.) Rome, April 9

A Turin paper says: The reports that Austria contemplates concluding peace with Russia in order to better defend herself against Italy is less visionary 7 than the Vienna communiques indicate. A Vienna correspondent claims that the Austrian Government has opened pourparlers with two members of the Triple Entente, and that he believes a dramatic surprise is possible. MATTERS AT HiCH TENSION. VEILED PLAN OF MOVEMENTS OF ITALIAN FLEET. SEPARATE PEACE DISCUSSION. Unitbd Press Association, London, April 9. ' A Romo message dealing with the state of affairs in Austria says everybody is aware that important events are pending. The impression prevails, despite denial, that a separate peace is becoming more probable. The Pope is reported to have warned the Emperor that it was his first duty to avert disintegration of the Empire, even at the expense of territorial sacrifices. A Rome message received in Paris states that warships of the Italian fleet departed suddenly from Spezzia and Magdalena, and concentrated at Augusta and Taranto within a lew hours’ steam of the Adriatic. Their future movements are 'veiled in absolute secrecy. Only tire King and two high officials are acquainted with the plans. A correspondent of the Rotterdam Telegraf announces that lie has reliable authority for stating that the Kaiser ’ recently visited the Emperor, and urged Austria to make territorial concessions with the object of securing Italy’s continued neutrality. The mission, which was undertaken with the utmost secrecy, failed because of Hungarian opposition.

ITALY’S SERIOUS POSITION. Rome, April !). Newspapers are discussing the possibility of Austria making a separate peace with Russia and its effect on Italy. The Messngoro opines that while it would he a death-blow to Germany it would be just as serious to Italy, as it would mean a separate war with Russia without that certainty of victory which would he Italy’s if she joined the Allies now. ALLEGED AUSTRIAN TOOL. Paris, April 0. Le Temps quotes a statement in the Giornale d’ltalic alleging that MGliennadieff an ex-Relgian Minister,

during his recent visits to foreign countries, was the tool of the Austrian Government. It also alleges that Gheiinadieff was the principal organiser of the plot to place bombs in the Casino at Sofia in order to compromise the Servians.

ILL-HEALTH OF AUSTRIAN CHIEF OF STAFF.

Loudon, April 9

Rome reports that General Von Schemua, formerly Chief of the Austrian staff, and late Commandant of an army corps in Galicia, has been pensioned off on account of ill-health. It is an open secret, however, that his removal is due to his unsuccessful campaign in the Carpathians. The Viennese says his ill-health is of that nature that is undoubtedly contagious, and a special hospital may he needed for the general.