View source for Extracts from the Austro-Hungarian Note to Neutral Powers relative to the Entente Reply to the Peace Proposals, January 11, 1917

<p align="right"> [[Main_Page | WWI Document Archive ]] > [[1916 Documents]] > [[Official Communications and Speeches Relating to Peace Proposals 1916-1917]] > '''Extracts from the Austro-Hungarian Note to Neutral Powers relative to the Entente Reply to the Peace Proposals, January 11, 1917'''</p><hr>

'''Extracts from the Austro-Hungarian Note to Neutral Powers relative to the Entente Reply to the Peace Proposals, January 11, 1917<sup>1</sup>'''<br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In the years preceding the Austro-Hungarian ultimatum to Serbia <br>
the Monarchy displayed sufficient proof of its forbearance toward <br>
the ever-increasing hostility, aggressive intentions, and intrigues of <br>
Serbia until the moment when finally the notorious murders at Sera- <br>
jevo made further indulgence impossible. <br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The question as to on which side the military situation is the <br>
stronger appears idle, and may confidently be left to the judgment of <br>
the world. The four allied powers now look on their purely defen- <br>
sive war aims as attained, while their enemies travel further and <br>
further from the realization of their plans. <br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For the enemy to characterize our peace proposals as meaningless <br>
before peace negotiations were begun, and so long as, therefore, our <br>
peace conditions are unknown, is merely to make an arbitrary as- <br>
sertion. We had made full preparations for the acceptance of our <br>
offer to make known our peace conditions on entering into the ne- <br>
gotiations. We declared ourselves ready to end the war by a ver- <br>
bal exchange of views with the enemy Governments, and it depended <br>
solely on our enemies' decision whether peace were brought about or <br>
not. <br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Before God and mankind we repudiate responsibility for continu- <br>
ance of the war.<br>

<hr>
<sup>1</sup><i>The New York Times</i>, January 13, 1917