Page - 659 - in THE FIRST WORLD WAR - and the End of the Habsburg Monarchy, 1914 – 1918

M onarchy appeared to fall at the hurdle of dualism. Instead of setting maximum price limits, goods were seized. The range of rationed goods increased week by week. It was not only food and substitute materials that were affected : from the end of 1916, animal feed such as turnips, hay and straw were also strictly rationed. And Aus- tria-Hungary’s enemies knew this. They monitored developments using all the means at their disposal, gathered together all information obtained from their intelligence services and produced increasingly comprehensive reports on the economic situation of the Central Powers and the resulting political consequences. In the case of Aus- tria-Hungary, a clean distinction was made between the two halves of the Empire, and its dependence on Germany was emphasised with increasing force.1494 As British analysts wrote in their reports during September and October 1916 : ‘The major part of the Hungarian population is tired of the war and only wishes to return to peace’. However, they continued, it had to be taken into account here that all political forces, including Tisza, had their hands tied, since Austria-Hungary was so closely linked to Germany. Until the war had begun against Romania, the only talk had been of a separate peace. The officers, they said, were no longer in favour of continuing the war, and were dominated by a feeling of helplessness. The declaration of war by Roma- nia had changed a great deal. Now, they claimed, people were again full of admiration for the Germans, and placed their hopes in Germany.1495 The reports also stated that the question of signing a separate peace was consequently debated rather in passing in the Hungarian parliament, since, first of all, Transylvania would have to be liberated before any further discussion could take place as to how to proceed further. While the Hungarian parties may have been at loggerheads over most other issues, they were in agreement when it came to Transylvania and Romania. However, according to the British analyses, the lack of food was also a central issue in Hungary. The Hungarian millers had also warned that by the summer of 1917 at the latest, further reductions would have to be made, since the current quantities of bread cereals would no longer be available, even if maize were used. The Hungarians also complained that they were being forced to give up so much to Austria and Germany. The situation was exacerbated, the British continued, by the refugees from Transylva- nia, who also needed to be fed. However, complaining and criticising others was quite simply normal behaviour during the war. And there were so many opportunities for presenting oneself as being at a disadvantage. This could already be seen in 1914, when the implementation of the Law on War Contributions was discussed, but also when it