The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-19
LITTLE NEW LIGHT ON DEVELOPMENTS IN GERMAN EMPIRE Washington's Attitude Is One of Confident Wait
 ing for Break That
 Must Come

Washington, October 1S.-Iittle new information reported in Washington to- day about the developments going Tor ward upon which will depend the na- ture and time of the next move toward peace The situation apparently is what it has been for several days. The Ger mans are hastening their constitutionaI and electoral reforms in the hope oI presenting government with Whlch the United States and the allies VIII deal in restoring permanent peace while conferences proceed on the ques- tion of how far the military machlhe shall go toward meeting the conditions nrecedent to consideration of the plea for the ardently desired armistiee
 There is no evidence here of great disappointment over the failure of new note to come from Berlin as quick Iv persistent reports through neutral countries have indicated it might De expected. In fact, when President Will sons reply to Prince MaximiIian was dispatched it was asslfmed that con siderable time must elapse petore the Germans would be heard from again, in view of the virtual demand for an unconditional surrender, the hour for whichsno one here was ready to predict had come. Of course, it also was as sumed at least that one more trial at bargaining was to be expected, so an other note is looked for as soon as those in power at Berlin decide they are in a position to make proposal likely either to receive consideration or to cause a rift in the allied camp and strengthen the situation at home.
 WASHINGTON CONFIDENT
 The attitude in Washington is one of confident waiting for the break that ultimately must come, even though another winter and spring campaign may be necessary to bring it about. Ev- cry one is watching the western front. The great retreat of the Germans there is being carried out without demorali- zation, indicating that discipline and fight are still left in the Prussian war machine. It is realized that a success full stand before the German borders are reached may govern the tone ot the next diplomatic communication and give the war lords another period of grace.
 What is happening in Austria Hun gary is observed with interest, though it is regarded as of secondary inn sportance Emperor Charles proclama tion of Liberalization of Austria, of ficials remarked today, is step in the right direction, though it does not
 
 eralization cannot save the dual mon- arehy. In the first place, the allies are committed to actual independence of Czecho -Slovak, including a very large part of Austria, and, in the second place. the Hungarians, holding. the upper hand now in the dual monarchy, and showing no disposition to relinquish their posi- tions, have been the chief oppressors on the ject of nationalities.
 Even as word was coming of the Emperor's proclamation the Czecho- Slovak national council, recognized by the United States and the allies as a belHgerent de facto government, was presenting to President Wilson a copy of a for,nal declaration of independence issued today in Paris. renouncing al- Iegiance to the Hapsburg dynasty and announcing principles for the founda- tion of a republic by the peoples under Austrian rule since 1526, when Bo- hemia Moravia and Silesia accepted a Hapsburg as King.
 An important weakness noted in the EmperoHs desperate effort to save his throne is his determination to keep the Austrian Poles out of an independent Poland.