Page - 982 - in THE FIRST WORLD WAR - and the End of the Habsburg Monarchy, 1914 – 1918

982 The War becomes History almost daily, but the deterrent effect was low. Most of those who were then executed for desertion had already fled six or seven times. The Allies promised deserters the best treatment and, above all, enough to eat. All of them were to be given the opportunity to eat properly first of all.2408 However, it was almost inexplicable to the Italians, Brit- ish and French that not even more Imperial and Royal soldiers deserted.2409 However, those who continued to hold out were increasingly filled with a sense of bitterness and hopelessness, and the anger directed at those by whom they felt betrayed and let down became enormous. In light of this melancholy, Emperor Karl finally brought himself to take the step towards peace that had been debated for a long time, and that had also been the subject of discussion in Spa. The Emperor requested that General Cramon send a telegraph to Spa to the effect that Austria-Hungary would take the planned step towards peace alone if the German Empire was unable to decide without delay to take the same ac- tion.2410 Cramon received the reply from the German Supreme Army Command that he should do all he could to prevent Austria-Hungary from taking such a step. Cra- mon explained the reasons for the request to wait to Emperor Karl by reporting that the withdrawal operations among the German troops in France and Belgium had not yet been entirely completed. Karl was therefore to wait for a few days. However, the Germans delayed longer and longer. Finally, on 14 September 1918, Karl ordered the Foreign Minister to send a peace démarche. Kaiser Wilhelm was only informed of this step after it had been taken. The German Kaiser had no choice but to simply express his ‘regret’ and ‘astonishment’ in retrospect.2411 Following the note of 14 September, there could no longer be any doubt that Aus- tria-Hungary was seeking an unconditional peace. However, the Allies showed them- selves to be utterly unimpressed and again only reacted by stating that the German Empire must first surrender before they could turn their attention to Austria-Hungary. The French President gave no direct response at all, but referred to a speech to the Sen- ate published in the Journal Officiel, which at the end contained the words : ‘Onwards to an untainted victory.’2412 Hindenburg in turn could only reply that it was the duty of Austro-Hungarian troops on the western front to continue fighting until a solution had been found.2413 Now, all developments were moving towards making final offers, to final proclamations and, ultimately, to dissolution. However, one thing was evident : Austria-Hungary would shortly be joining the ranks of the failed states.