South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-11-04
GREAT ARMY IS
FREE To FIGHT
ON WESTERNLINE
Believe ArmiStiCe Provides
for Allied Troops to Go
Through AuStria-May
Join Americans.

WASHINGTON, Nov. i.-ArmlS-
tice terms which the Austrians have
accepted are expected here TO fur
nish a clear index 10 those which
the supreme war council at Yer
soilles is preparing for Germany.
Consequently their publication will
carry greater Significance than
otherwise would attach since the
Austrian surrender had been dis
counted in advance by the internal
disintegratiOn Of the dual monarchy
and the collapse of the AustrO- Hun
garian forces on the Italian front
Official announcement that the
armistice had been signed reached
the state department Sunday. IN
making this known. officials gave no
indication of the terms imposed. nor
was there any explanation of why
cessation Of hostilfties had been de-
layed "a hours or more after the
actual signing OF articles of surren-
der. The generally accepted view,
however. seemed to be that IL was
desired 10 have virtually all Italian
soil freed of enemy troops before the
Italian armies were committed to
end their attacks upon the routed
Austrian forces.
Austrians are Through.
Military men here said the terms
which the supreme war council had
prepared would make il impossible
for the Austrians TO renew hostili-
ties. probably including the disarm-
ing of the eneDy troops and occupa-
tiOn of strategic points as well.
Some of these. namley Trent and
Triest, already have been occupied
by Italian and allied forces.
Free movement of the allied forces
through Austria TO attack Germany
from the south, should the supreme
army command decide such a stroke
necessary in the future. also is ex-
pected TO be stipulated. Unofficial
reports from Vienna today said the
Germans were preparing for such an
attack by feverishly digging trenches
on and fOrtifying the Bavarian
frontier.
The detection of Austria leaves
Germany stripped Of its last ally.
and most of the military men here,
both allied and American. believe
that a capitulation will follow soon
after the terms from Versailles are
received.
Exchanges Of visits between Col.
Z. NJ. House. special representative
OF the American government in
France and the allied premiers con-
tinued at Col. Houses home in
"a 01
terms for Germany are not yet ready
for submission TO the allied military
leaders Tor consideration with their
regard 10 the military necessities.
Col. House is keeping Pres't Wilson
constantly advised as TO the progress
OF events.
Great importance is attached here
20 the course followed by the allied
and American governments in de-
ferring peace settlements with Aus
tria. Turkey and Bulgaria until Ger
many also should surrender or be
crushed. This policy is counted
upon 10 prevent any eleventh hour
attempt on the part Of the Germans
20 sow SC eds among the allies.
Now Up TO Germany.
In view Of the general situation.
the smashing FrancO-American vic
tories north and west of Verdun are
regarded as significant. Unless an
armistice interrupts, it is believed
thrusts will be pressed home relent-
Iessly 20 cut the German front in the
west in half before there is another
halt.
with hardened mountaineers OF
the Italian army available for use
elsewhere. with the surrender of
Austria, some observers look for i'm
mediate preparation for the invasion
of Germany by way OF Alsa -Lor-
raine Italian picked troops might
be spared at once 20 join such a
campaign as they would not be
needed TO carry out operations in
cidentaI TO the Austrian surrender.
Not only will the whole fighting
man power Of allied and American
armies be available now for the task
Of crushing Germany's defensive
front. but to supplement the already
vastly superior equipment OF those
armies in guns. aircraft and all
other war machinery there is now
at the disposal of Marshal Foch and
the Bulgarian, Turkish and Austrian
military equipment. To answer such
a concentration Germany has only
depleted reserves Of men, guns and
munitions.