Bisbee daily review., 1918-10-18

their internal political affairs and
 their methods of warfare in the hope
 of meeting the peace requirements oi
 President Wilson. There was no in dication when the German answer
 would come, but that one would be | despatched was made more certain by the statement of Baron Burian, the Austrian foreign minister, before the foreign affairs committee of the Au- strian parliament.
 Following closely radical changes in the German government structure, in formation came to the state depart ment that the Austrian emperor has announced to the foreign affairs com mittee of parliament his purpose to grant autonomy to the oppressed na- tionalities in the dual empire, one of the peace requirements laid down by the president
 Bitter opposition from the intensely conservative German and Magyar components of the empire is certain to be aroused by this radical change. It is believed that Emperor Charles thinks this can be over-balanced by the measure of support he will receive from the liberal elements and the separatist parties, especially if he can make it appear that the change is a long step towards the final peace so insistently demanded by the populace.
 The announcement from Copenha- gen of the reading of a decree in the Hungarian parliament recognizing Hungary as separate state is regard ed as an earnest of what is to come to the other nationalities of the em- pire. It has been suggested that the delay in dispatching the presi- dents reply to the Austrians appeal for an armistice may be accounted for by the conviction of officials that events are moving so rapidly in Au- stria- Hungary that it would be wise to wait the outcome of the present agitation there in order to adapt the reply to the new conditions
 Baron Burian's statement to the for eign affairs committee that Germany will make the constitutional modifi- cations necessary to realize the de- mand for democratic form of gov ernment and abdication of military control was regarded as indicating the Austrian purpose to do likewise. Ev- ents are moving in the same direc- tion in Turkey where the sultan has declared for a representative govern ment, so that the conclusion is irresis- tible and that the whole program of constitutional reform now under way is the result of an agreement between the three allies to meet one of the presidents conditions for a cessation of hostilities.
 Baron Burian's statement that Ger many will be in a position to accept the presidents demands, appears to be borne out in a measure by reports from the battle front in Belgium and northern France that the Germans are not looking and deshrdltuaunaunaun not footing and destroying private property as heretofore. If this is fol- lowed by the abandonment of subma- rine attacks on merchant shipping, of ficials feel that the principal obstacles in the way of an adjustment will be found only in the arrangement of an armistice.
 There is no doubt that the Germans will make desperate effort to resist the announced purpose of the presi- dent to leave the terms of an armis- tice to the military commanders of the American and allied forces, and it may be some time before they are sui ficiently humbled in spirit to admit that it is not for them to dictate. but simply to accept such terms as these military commanders may choose to impose.