Count Ceernin, evidently by arrangement, on-the same day madea speech
to theVienna journalists, complimenting the German Chancellor on the crystal clearness of the speech which Mr. Lloyd George had • described as equivocal. The Austrian Minister said that Herr Michaelis and the Reichstag were agreed in desiring an honourable peace such as Austria had long been willing to accept. Their "honour rooted in dishonour," however, compels us to regard the term "honourable peace" as merely a fresh equivocation. Count Ceernin raid that the continuation of the war was "absurd," since the Central Powers—who began it—were now on the defensive and "had no intention of crushing the enemy." But he, like Herr Michaelis, would not uttor a decisive word, and did not mention the name of wronged Serbia. He added that both Austria and Hungary were engaged in" democratizing" their Constitutions, but would not tolerate outside interference.
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