ECHO OF THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 January 1920, Page 5

ECHO OF THE WAR.

AUSTRIA'S DESIRE FOR PEACE. A MOVE IN 1917. By Telejraph.—Press Assn.—Coprrleat. Paris, Jan. 5. A circumstantial account of Austria's negotiations for a separate peace in 1917 states that the Empress Zita, when in Switzerland, gave her brother, Prince Sixte, a note from the Emperor Kari soliciting his aid to secure peace. Prince Sixte said peace was unobtainable without the restoration of Alsace and Lor-aine to 'France, the cession of Constantinople to Russia, and of Albania to Serbia. Prince Sixte on March 5, handed to President Poincare the Emperor Karl's note declaring that he was a strong supporter of France, and adding: "We are absolutely not in Germany's hands. We only want to maintain our present frontiers." Prince Sixte later visited Austria, when the Emperor Karl said if he could not induce Germany to make a just peace lie would make a separate*>eacA ratiier than sacrifice the Empire to Germany's madness. Prince Sixte had many interviews in France, including ones with President Poincare, M. Ribot, and Mr. Lloyd George, who took him to see the King. Overtures failed because the Entente was unable to arrange terms satisfactory to Italy, who insisted upon receiving the Tyrol, though according to the Emperor Karl General Cadorna pent an emissary to Berne offering a separate peace on condition that Italy received the Italian portion of the Trentino. J General Cadorna denies the story of the Berne mission as pure invention. Italian newspapers suggest that the story was circulated during the negotiations in order to sow dimension between Italy and the other Entente Powers by blaming Italy for the failure of negotiations.—Aus.-NX Cable A ssi).