RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 April 1917, Page 5

RUSSIA.

AUSTRIA AND RUSSIA. PEACE OVERTURES. A NEW MOVE. London, April ]fi. Italian nnrl Dutch telegrams show that Austria is ranking active efforts for peace with Russia. Count Czernin has submitted definite proposals to the Provisional Government, and has also appealed to the Pope to institute peace proposals. Count Czerniu ha« given a Socialists' deputation a special passport to go to Stockholm. Received April 17 0.35 p.m. Amsterdam, April 10. The Austrian Government's authorised statement, "practically amounting to a peace offer to Russia, 1 , says:—The monarchy learns from the. Russian Government's manifesto of the 10th that Russia, like Austro-lTungary desires nn honorable peace, without desiring domination over other peoples. It may, therefore, he stated that Austro-Hungary and Russia -are similarly striving for peace guaranteeing the existence, honor and the possibility of the development of the belligerent states. The monarchy is convinced that its claims do not conflict with those of Russia. The latter has stated that she is only fighting in defence of the freedom of her people. Russia is no longer compelled to fight with that object, and therefore it should not be difficult to establish an understanding between the Central Powers and Russia, especially as the Austrian Emperor, in agreement with his allied monarclis, desires to live in future in peace and friendship wit lithe Russian people. Router adds: — The pronouncement in favor of peace with Russia causes no surprise. Tt is well understood that only the German refusal to co-operate prevented the issue of definite peace proposals on the occasion of the recent meeting of the German and Austrian monarch*. To-day's declaration suggests that Austria is reaching the. end of its tether), and seeking a separate peace with Russia. The resignation of Count Marbnie, the Austrian Premier, on the grounds of health, is announced tonlay, and is probably connected with the new peace move. OFFER. SIGNIFICANT. ', , Received April IS MO l>m. New Y.ric, April 17. The Tribune's London correspondent says that although there is no danger of Austria's offer to Russia being entertained, the action mav be interpreted as the forerunner of the ilwmeiiiberuient of the Central Powers' alliance.