SUBSCRIBER It will certainly be what both General Staffs want — to expand and intensify the advantage the Monarchy and Germany gained from the resolution “to stand shoulder to shoulder”, as they say in wartime.
PATRIOT Have you any reliable inside information?
SUBSCRIBER All I can tell you is that we must hold fast to this defensive alliance and simply create further preconditions for an expansion and intensification of the alliance.
PATRIOT (after a pause) What do you think about the expansion and intensification of the alliance with Germany?
SUBSCRIBER The factual situation created by the Central Powers should be established as our guideline for future expansion and intensification.
PATRIOT We only need to follow the events of the war to understand why the expansion and intensification of the alliance have become inevitable.
SUBSCRIBER For the Central Powers, the united front is sufficient cause for the military intensification of the alliance.
PATRIOT And what about its expansion?
SUBSCRIBER The plan to continue depriving the Central Powers of raw materials after the war is countered by news of the economic expansion of the alliance. The expansion of the alliance with Germany from an economic point of view—
PATRIOT The expansion and intensification of the alliance between the Monarchy and Germany are connected with the Polish Question. But one reads news of fake German overtures of peace. What’s the truth of the matter?
SUBSCRIBER The truth is the expansion and intensification of the alliance between the Monarchy and Germany. I’m telling you!
PATRIOT Here’s hoping! You seem to be referring to the official announcement that, when the Emperors met at German Supreme Headquarters, the expansion and intensification of the existing alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary was finally agreed upon.
SUBSCRIBER Do you know what the consequences will be? The world will have to reckon on the British Empire, with its four hundred million inhabitants, expanding and intensifying its relationship with the United States to put it even further ahead in the supply of raw materials. They copy everything we do.
PATRIOT Of course they do. What influence could news of the expansion and intensification of the alliance have on the politics of the Entente? The effects could well be long-lasting.
SUBSCRIBER One might conclude with some justification that the public has correctly recognized the essential purpose of the expansion and intensification.
PATRIOT You don’t say! My definite impression is that everyone who witnessed the historic meeting between the monarchs felt at its culmination that the alliance between the two Central Powers was intensified in the truest meaning of the word. Namely, the foundations of an essential intensification—
SUBSCRIBER That reminds me, the expansion of the Technical University—
PATRIOT The effect of the expansion of the alliance on the Polish Question—
SUBSCRIBER The effect of the expansion of the alliance on the Entente—
PATRIOT In the circumstances, the expansion and intensification of the alliance can only surprise the Entente.
SUBSCRIBER No wonder! The great significance of the political and military expansion of the alliance was subjected to close examination on the Stock Exchange. Particular emphasis was laid on the intensification—
PATRIOT It is to be expected that discussions on the arrangements to be made for expanding and intensifying the alliance will now commence. As far as the expansion of the economic alliance with Germany in particular is concerned, it has, however, just been—
SUBSCRIBER That is why it is especially interesting to hear what Herr Wekerle, as a prominent cabinet minister, has to say about the resolutions concerning the expansion of the economic alliance with Germany.
PATRIOT Wekerle? But he’s always been angling for an intensification of the economic relationship!
SUBSCRIBER The world was apprised of the announcement that the decision to expand and intensify the alliance had been taken.
PATRIOT After the war, the Monarchy and Germany will see that it is imperative to intensify the alliance.
SUBSCRIBER Say what you will, security can only be achieved by the expansion and intensification of the alliance.
PATRIOT Yes, but — the budget, government bonds and taxes cannot be put off until after the alliance with Germany has been expanded politically, militarily, and economically.
SUBSCRIBER In discussing the intensification of the alliance between the Central Powers, did he not explain—?
PATRIOT You mean Friedjung. But on the contrary, Friedjung’s conclusion was a hearty three cheers for expanding the alliance of the two Central Powers with Turkey!
SUBSCRIBER And what about its intensification? The question was initially about the intensification of the alliance of the Central Powers.
PATRIOT But that’s something completely different! It was a question of the expansion of the Austro-Hungarian-German alliance in a military sense.
SUBSCRIBER That may be, but the intensification of the alliance is imperative in a military sense, too.
PATRIOT All I know is what Wekerle and Tisza said on the subject of the intensification of the alliance—
SUBSCRIBER Comments were made by one side which indicated reservations about an intensification of the alliance.
PATRIOT That reminds me, what do you think about the way we expanded the victory at Noyon?
SUBSCRIBER And did you read what Burian said about the intensification of the alliance?
PATRIOT And did you read about the consultations in Salzburg on expanding the alliance?
SUBSCRIBER Hang on, it was only the prevailing views about the economic intensification they were discussing!
PATRIOT But the German Kaiser was singing the praises of the Hetman for having begun to expand the new state system in Ukraine.
SUBSCRIBER Yes, but the Hetman immediately expressed the hope that relations between the powerful German Reich and Ukraine would be increasingly intensified!
PATRIOT That’s what he says! But you know, intensification is a risky business. Didn’t you read the communiqué from Berlin on information from The Hague that London has reported Turin’s announcement that the Italian Stock Exchange is in the doldrums since the meeting of the German and Austrian Emperors, and that it’s thought the Italians are very disappointed by the intensity of the alliance?
SUBSCRIBER And how intense is that?! Still, since you mention The Hague, I’m convinced the institution of international courts of arbitration will be greatly expanded after the war.
PATRIOT That’s possible. For the moment they’re only negotiations and still ongoing, the general idea being to intensify the alliance.
SUBSCRIBER On the other hand, the preventive measures are being constantly expanded.
PATRIOT Preventive measures against theft of articles in the post? Don’t I know! But what good is that? It’s theft on trains that has really become rampant, in this era of expansion and intensification.
SUBSCRIBER It’s all the more vital now that we expand regulations covering the insurance of luggage, since—
(Old Biach arrives, out of breath.)
BIACH Have you heard? Expanded and intensified!
PATRIOT So what’s new?
BIACH But I tell you, the alliance has been expanded and intensified! Though—
PATRIOT So what? Get a grip on yourself!
BIACH That’s all we needed—
PATRIOT What’s bothering you?
BIACH Heavens above — it’s not that simple — listen — it’s been construed in different ways! D’you know how the Viennese version differs from the Berlin version? (Beside himself.) A close examination of the text of the communiqué released in Vienna and Berlin reveals a difference that leaps into your eyes.