20 APRIL 1918, Page 3

Of course Vienna has officially explained that the letter, as

published by the French Government, was falsified ; that it was a purely private, personal letter from one brother-in-law to another— the first happened to be an Emperor, and the other an amateur peacemaker. The Emperor's admission of the French claims to Alsace-Lorraine is flatly denied ; these claims were " not just." In view of the French evidence for the authenticity of the letter, no intelligent neutral will accept Vienna's denial. But one need not assume that the Kaiser, any more than Count Czernin, was in ignorance of these interesting negotiations. At their date Russia was still a military Power, and the Italians had not been thrust back from Gorizia. Whether the Emperor Charles sent out this " feeler " with Germany's knowledge, or with a view to a separate peace, does not matter much to-day ; for the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy is in the firm grip of German domination, and must do as it is told.