Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-10-30
NO ACTION YET
ON AUSTRIAN
PEACE OFFER
Official Text Delivered
To Secretary Lansing
Tuesday
NOT
DIFFER FROM
UNOFFICIAL

Widespread Impression That
Latest Appeal of Austria
Will Be Transmitted to AL
lies in Same Manner as That
of Germany
Washington. Oct 29-In the alb
sencc Of any official announcement
there was a somewhat widespread
impression here tonight that Aus
tria's renewed appeal to President
Wilson for an immediate armistice
and peace would be transmitted to
the allied governments before which
Germany's request has been placed.
In some quarters, however, there
was disposition to accord different
treatment to the Austrian plea be-
cause of the complex problems aris-
ing from the new conditions that
apparently have developed in the
dual monarchy since the president
replied to Austria's original request
for an immediate cessation Of hos
tilities.
The official text of the Austrian
note was delivered to Secretary
Lansing today by the Swedish min
lister soon after the regular meet
ing of the cabinet at which it was
understood the unofficial version
as transmitted by the Associated
Press from Basel, Switzerland, was
given consideration. If any definite
conclusion was reached the fact was
not revealed, officials stating that
they could not indicate what dispo-
sition would be made of the note in
the advance of careful study OF
the official version. The text received
at the Swedish legation was Ill.
French and it has not yet been
translated by the State Department.
After preliminary examination It
was said there that it did not differ sa-
sentially from the unofficial version as
received from Switzerland. Those aG-
herring to the opinion that different
treatment should be accorded to the
Austrian request than was given the
plea of the German government pointed
to cable dispatches today reporting the
establishment of the independent state
of Hungary and Of the recognition by
the state of the independence of The
Czecho-Slovak and Jugo-Slav provinces
and also of German Austria suggesting
the introduction Of complex factors into
the problem of settling with the dual
empire. Even if each of the many na-
tionalities that make up empire becomes
independent before peace is arranged.
it was said that they still must bear
their individual shares Of the RESPONSE
bility for the acts committed by the EN-
pire. Logically each might have to sue
for a separate peace. However, 1t is
believed that the American government
will not be diverted from the pursuit Ct
it's main object of consideration Of :hese
individual uprisings in Austria Hungary.
1t probably will follow consistent
ly the course pursued in dealing
with Germany and insist on treating
first the proposition for an armistice
which it regards as a purely mill
tary question leaving to the final
peace conference adjustment Of the
claims to independent existence Of
the proposed nationalities in Austria
Hungary. If that course is followed.
then not only the remnant of the
dual empire over which Emperor
Charles still holds sway, but the
separate state Of Hungary and even
Bosnia and the Jugo-Slav sections.
must accept the terms to be laid
down by the supreme military coun-
Gil at Versailles. This many observ-
ers said probably would invoke dis
armament. rehabilitation, opening Of
the Austro-Hungarian railways to
the entente allies and guarantees in
the shape of occupied territories to
ensure the safety of the entente ar
mics against treacherous attacks in
the rear if they advanced to strike
Germany from the south.
Eienna's plea for an armistice is
interpreted in general military cir
cles here as an offer to capitulate as
completely rs did Bulgaria. Military
officers, both allied and American, be-
;ieve that the complete elimination Of
Austria Hungary as belligerent
would bring the world war within
sight of an end. While there is doubt
that it would be practical to attack
Germany from the south, the best
information is that entente officers
on duty here firmly believe that Ger
many would not attempt to fight on
with Austria out of the war. The
greatest fear the Germans have is
Of invasion Of German soil and in
the end. they believe Germany will
.capitulate rather thuoi face that
contingency. One result of Austrian
capitulation which cannot be gagged
reliably in advance is the situation Of
the German divisions in Russia to
what is regarded as the minimum OF
safety when the spring drive in
France was prepared. Recently. how
ever, it is learned that some Of the
divisions left there have been
brought to the western line and sew
eral were hurried to the Danube
front.
Lacking Austrian help in Russia
the situation Of the German forces
there would appear to be perilous and
officers say it would be vitality neces-
sary that they be so disposed as to
rest up on the Russo-German from
tier That would mean great cur.
tailment of Russian territory. they
could police and complete evacuation
Of Russia by the Germans was re-
garded as the logical result.