Republican farmer., 1918-10-04

 movement for the evacuation 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 be surprised at another plea for peace from the Hun coupled with a general retreat to the Rhine. This plea, if made, would come from the new ministry which is expected to be responsible to the Reichstag.
 Despoilation of Belgium and that part of France now in the hands of the enemy has been provided against by the Allies and a peremptory 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 l treatment from the Allies. The United States, 1t was admitted at the State Department, has been asked to be- come 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- sume, that measures have been taken | to evacuate the submarine bases. At Antwerp the naval staff commanded by Gohenshen, is preparing to leave. l 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 strdegly than Monday
 that Austria is preparing hastily to
 throw off the political shackles of
 Germany.
 |
 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. I 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 7 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 mill
 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- i
 conversation that the official stage is confidently expected to be reached 2 soon.
 l The Evening Standard says there l are strong grounds for accepting the :, report making the rounds in the city : that Turkey has made direct ap
 breaches to the Allies through firan = clal channels in London.
 e. The Allies warning to the Raise = means that the Rhine cities woul v undergo the same treatment that tn . unfortunate towns and villages in tn S occupied regions have received at tn
 hands of the Germans. The de e struction of Cambrai is said to be tn n reason for the consideration of a 3 ultimatum.. Reports yesterday sai
 the enemy systematically applied tn a torch throughout the entire cit! h which is so rich in historical memor s ies, and left it a mass of flames an = smoke.
 |. If Germany needs the warning C y the Allies, the cities of Bruges, Chen U Brussels, Antwerp and Charleroi, a '- in Belgium, together with Lill'
 Charleville, St. Amand and Roubai' l. in France will be spared from tn
 ravages of a retreating foe.
 The State Department also receive
 yesterday an excerpt from the Frank
 furter Zeitung of Sept. 29, showin II the condition of public opinion
 Germany today. It says: w What change has taken place n the few weeks that have intervene l. since that time when it seemed ths J. our armies had reached their goal ( !s shattering the enemy armies and forc In ing peace! There is unparallele n, tragedy in, the present situation. ,e real crisis has now set in.
 "It is the first strategic crisis fo at years that turns against us. W V are on the defensive; the old do, h. Urine that attack is the best mea1 y, of defense, no longer applies in tt C. new epoch in which we are Twin $, The moral revolution which is tran t. piring in Prussian Germany respec d, neither doctrines nor theories rd war.
 ry The defense of our country meal h. the defense of that mentality whiC te alone can enable our people to r " main strong and united until the lil ed hour This idea will unite our wa r. riors and the whole German people
 intending resistance. until the enen
 awakens from the Imperialistic into ki ication which the unexpected victo A after the gravest danger has caust A him. We must resist until the ne
 balance of power is established al nd force the enemy to recognize that u nd advantages which he might attain h. the most favorable event cannot COT +b pensate for the tremendous sacrif1c anI which a continuation of attempts l nncncritotn