PEACE MOVEMENT.

Taihape Daily Times, 4 April 1918, Page 5

PEACE MOVEMENT.

COUNT CZERNIN'S OPINIONS

- THE BASIS OF PEACE. Received 8.5.0. . AMSTERDAM, April 3. Count Caernin, speaking at the V*v • na City Corporation, declared he, like Barcn Hertiing, accepied Presiacm Wilson's principles for peace. He wondered whether the American ... ; lies would likewise accept. He said : that M. Clemenceau asked him a few j days before the offensive whether he • wanted to negotiate, and on wluu j basis. Czernin replied that he would gladly negotiate forthwith on the basis of the status quo regarding Alsaut and Lorraine. The French Government thereupon declined any negotiations. Czernin spoke-lengthily upon the solidarity of the German and Austrian alliance. Austro-German soldiers were fighting together on the West Front for the safety, future, and maintenance of the Central Powers, not for annexation or Imperialistic aim*. Count Czernin said he did not believe President Wilson desired a se P" arate view from Berlin, probably considering Austro-Hungary with its monarch generally was honourably striving for a general peace, and represented favourable soil for sowing the seeds. He understood Wilson received the text of his former speech before delivery, but it did ,not arrive in Washington till a few days later. Czernin added: "This is my witness that I tried to avoid the threatening new offensive. The gigantic struggle has now begun, and our armies will show the Entente that French and Italian aspirations against our territory will be terribly avenged."