The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-10-03

WaSnlnBton, Oct. S-Ine oldlo De- partment is in receipt 1 official in- formation which shows that . vast movement for the evacuS:ion of Bel gium and northern France by the Germans Is under way. The plight of Germany at the present time IS so desperate that official Washington would not he surprised at another plea for peace from the Hun coupled with a general retreat to the Rhine. This p!ea, if made, would come from the new ministry which Is expected to be reFponSibla to the Rei%Astag.
 Despoilation of Belgium and that part of France now in the bands of the enemy has been provided against by the Allies and perempt0ry note dealing with the matter has been transmitted to the Germans.
 It says, in short that if the German armies burn or destroy any more cities of France or Belgium, or rage or chards, they may expect the same treatment from the Allies. The United States, 1t was admitted at the State Department, has been asked to be- come a party to the move.
 The information to the State De- partment Is to the effect that all roll ing stock, hospitals, post offices, stor- age houses and supplies have been transferred from the Fourth army dis trict in Belgium to the general gov ernment.
 In addition, all civilian authorities have been recalled 90 Germany and regulations pertaining to the mari time districts have been made more severe-an indication, officials as- sune, that measures have been taken to evacuate the submarine bases. At Antwerp the naval staff commanded by Gohenshen, is preparing to leave.
 All German reserves in Belgium have been ordered to the front, ap- parently to assist in the transfer of munitions, food and material to points in the rear.
 Each of the above incidents show preparations for a retreat on a grand scale, 1t is said, and all of Belgium is expected to be back in the hands of the Allies before snowfall.
 The developments of yesterday in both military and diplomatic circles indicate more strongly than Monday that Austria is preparing hastily to throw off the political shackles of Germany.
 The men in high places who hold that Austria will be the next power to ask for an armistice say that her peculiar actions revealed within the last "A hours are following lines which lead to an appeal for an armistice. Specifically, what Turkey has done and what Bulgaria has done with re- spect to Germany is at the moment being done by Austria.
 Vienna is suggesting peace terms and the necessity for them long be- fore Germany is ready to consider them at the instance of Austria. It is believed in army circles that Austria even now Is demanding of Germany that she either favor an Austrian mil itary peace or give back to her the troops she now has on the western front.
 Reports of an impending armistice and peace bid by Turkey persisted all day. Late yesterday a strong rumor was circulated that the Porte had un- conditionally surrendered. This was not confirmed officially, however.
 In authoritative quarters it was said developments have mot yet reached the official stage Hints were subse- quently dropped by officials in private conversation that the official Stage is confidently expected to be reached soon.
 The Evening Standard says there are strong grounds for accepting the report making the rounds in the city that Turkey has made direct ap' breaches to the Allies through finan. clal channels in London.
 The Allies warning to the Raise means that the Rhine cities would undergo the same treatment that tn unfortunate towns and villages in tn occupied regions have received at tn hands of the Germans. The de struction of Cambrai is said to be tn reason for the consideration of al ultimatum. Reports yesterday sai the enemy systematically applied tn torch throughout the entire city which is so rich in historical memor ies, and left it a mass of flames an smoke.
 If Germany needs the warning c the Allies, the cities of Bruges, Chen Brussels, Antwerp and Charleroi, a in Belgium, together with Lille Charleville, St. Amand and Roubai1 in France. will be spared from th