Official Declarations Regarding It by the
Chief Ministers of Both Empires
The official text of the new treaty of alliance between Germany and
Austria-Hungary--as a result of the meeting of the Emperors, May 12,
1918--was not made public. Baron Burian, Austro-Hungarian Foreign
Minister, made the following declaration regarding it on May 16:
The extension of the alliance, which in long years of peace had
deeply penetrated the minds of the peoples and has stood the test
of hard times, not only corresponds with what has now become a
historic necessity, and is not only an imperative necessity, owing
to the fact that Austria-Hungary and Germany, who are surrounded
by a ring of common enemies, must firmly hold together in the
centre in order to be able to resist the terrible embrace, but it
also corresponds with the requirement of all patriotic Austrians,
Hungarians, and Germans who think clearly about our future.
Austria-Hungary and Germany do not desire to renew or extend the
alliance in order to attack or oppress any one in the world, but
to stand by each other when their vital interests are assailed.
The new alliance will again be a defensive alliance, which
today serves to bring about peace and will in future serve for
its preservation. It will show the world that Austria-Hungary
and Germany united are not to be beaten, and will convert our
opponents to peace by the strength of our will for peace.
Dr. Wekerle, the Premier of Hungary, announced in the Hungarian lower
house that the new alliance was a strengthening of the existing
alliance and was for a considerable period. He added:
I think that it will be a matter for general approval by
Hungarians that our interests are so well looked after, and that
they will be maintained by such a proved alliance. This alliance
is therefore being renewed, and very naturally it will also extend
to those questions which are directly connected with it. Naturally
certain military agreements will also be concluded, but these
cannot be called a military convention.
Count Michael Karolyi here interjected inquiry, "During the war?" Dr.
Wekerle proceeded:
Agreements may be concluded during the war relating to common
action and common equipment, but having no connection with army
organization as such. We shall in no respect give up our right
of decision as regards economic rapprochement. Count Karolyi
continually talks about "Central Europe," but "Central Europe" is
a very vague idea. No one doubts that closer economic ties are
desirable and also possible. I repeat that we shall not give up in
a single respect our independent right of decision. The validity
of the economic agreement will depend on the approval of the
House. War aims were not discussed, for there can be no question
of war aims.
The entire alliance aims only at the maintenance of peace in all
directions. The alliance can but improve the mutual relations
between us allies, but it is not to be regarded in any way as a
hindrance to any eventual relations which may be established in
the economic domain with other nations; neither is it a hindrance
to an eventual entrance into the so-called League of Nations.
The guarantee lies in the fact that we have arranged a purely
defensive alliance.