New-York tribune., 1918-10-27
War Cabinet Will Await
Allies Statement of
Armistice
By Arthur S. Draper
Especial Cobie to The Tribune)

Il
Copyright, 1913 New York Tribune Iuc)
LONDON, Oct. 26.-The announce
ment that the Berlin War Cabinet in
tends to await the Allies statement of
Armistice conditions is considered
highly significant. 1t is evident the
government fears to declare President
Wilson'S note is unacceptable in tone
and substance, proving that the cir
cumstances which are forcing the en-
emy to seek peace are most stringent
and coercive.
Meanwhile the Allied leaders are
comforting on the armistice terms.
Colonel Edward NJ House and Ameri
can army and navy representatives arc
acting for the United States in the de-
llberations. Germany will not have to
wait long.
According to Vienna newspapers.
hustro- Hungarian army rehabilitation
plans have been announced.
Within the Central Powers every one
from the Kaiser down is figuring how
to save himself. All recognize that the
end is only matter of time. Some be-
lleve it wisest to fight on, though it
mean their complete collapse, for in
this way they think they can drag one
more of the Allies close to the brink of
ruin. Only small, though influential,
body urges this course, and they are
uncertain whether they are able to con-
troll their countrymen.
Government Change Near
change in government in Germany
IS believed imminent. Prince MaXimil-
ian VIII not do as a military dictator
should the German masses consider the
Allies armistice terms unacceptable.
He couldn't fill the bill as leader of n
German democracy. 1t would be easier
to find candidate for the first than for
the second role.
The winter season is rapidly ap-
preaching. Ludendorff is retiring skill
fully, and, though suffering heavily, has
succeeded in avoiding rout.
That the Germans will be able to oet
through the winter without collapse is
admitted by the wisest Allied military
observers. Spring is likely to find them
behind the Meuse line. If the situation
in the West were the only cause for
worry, President Wilson could expect
a quick refusal of his demands.
But Germany knows that Turkey is
finished, that the straits of the Black
Sea will be controlled by the Allies be-
fore the winter is over, that Austria is
in state of dissolution, and that the
Italian army is almost certain to be
available on the Western front next
spring.
Internal Problems Acute
The future is no brighter when the
German leaders study internal con.
dltlons. Perhaps the food situation is
no worse than it was last year, but the
people have lost much of their vi
tallty and power of resistance.
Any one resident in an Allied coun-
try where the food rations are much
better than in Germany can testify
TO the fact that the strain and pr;
vatlons of war have left deep scars
on the people
Forty-eight years next January Bis
marck and Jules Favre signed the ar.
mlstice under which France surren-
dered Internationally to Germany. To-
day the successors to Bismarck and
Won Moltke find conditions reversed and
the Allies demanding equally severe
terms. AS a last resort. the eno,,,,
"lH try to frighten the Allies with
tales of Bolsheyism, but General Foeb
and President Wilson and the rest of
the Allied soldiers and statesmen sro
gong to get unconditional surrender
from the successors of Bismarck and
von Moltke.