complete independence from Vienna, Budapest, and Berlin. Placing all their hopes on the Allies, they set forth their political programme for the future and their ideas on the present international political situation somewhat as follows:—
In Central Europe there are two autocratic States which are a continuous danger to the peace of the world: Germany and Austria-Hungary. These two States have joined, in order to obtain for Germany hegemony in Europe, and to preserve for the Austrians and Magyars the domination of the Slav and Latin nations of Austria-Hungary and the Balkans. Austria-Hungary is indispensable to the German plan of domination; it is therefore necessary to abolish the focus of disorders, which is Austria-Hungary: the Austro-Hungarian problem is the clue to the situation. The war of 1914 had no other aim in view.
It is in the interest of all the Allied nations to comprehend the significance of this war and to act accordingly, as everything would be attained through the realisation of their legitimate claim, their rights, and their vital needs for their national existence.
It is unnecessary to repeat what has been said about the Pan-German plot, and how in consequence of these Prussian designs the great Western Powers are deeply interested in the fate of Bohemia. Bismarck once said that "the master of Bohemia will be the master of Europe." It is still more
