The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-11-03
WASHINGTON CHEERFUL
AS GOOD news GROWS
American and British Warships WHIT
ing to Enter Black Sea and Mop
Gp Enemy Fleet.
NO ANSWER FOR AUSTRIA.
lansing Says Latest Peace Plea VIII
Take Its COurse--Prcsidcnt Visits
Secretary of War.

washington Nov. 1.-THE last days
of the great world war are in sight.
: An avalanche of good news reached
the capital today. Turkey in the role
OF non-combatant, Austria to follow
either tomorrow -hs-tAe- end ef-the
week at the latest. and Germany
next--this vas the manner in which
officials and diplomats here summed
up the situation.
Tonight, outside the Dardanelles,
the allied squadron is waiting.
It Ia composed largely of British
and American men of war and to-
morrow may see 1t steaming into the
Black Sea to mop up the German
squadron there. The report OF the
impending naval engagement was re-
ceived In Washington tonight from an
authoritative source.
Events have progressed with such
speed in the past few days that APP
parentiy they've gone beyond the
underwriting stage. Secretary of State
Lansing announced this afternoon
that there would be no written reply
to the Austrian note. which sought a
separate peace. IIs stated that he
Swedish minister. the Austro- Hunga-
Ran governments representative in
this country, that rhe note would take
its proper course.
This, according to Mr.. Lansing.
means that IL will be submitted to the
associated beiligerents for their con-
sideration. 1t is nov before the Yer
sailles inter-allied council.
An Official dispatch from Bern this
afternoon emphasizes the beli,f here
that the end Is realv In sight. It de-
clares Austria's complies capitulation
is imminent and that even in Ger
many the admission is made that the
war will be over very shortly--pos-
siblv within days
From the standpoint OF the United
States and the allies. this means the
war is going to end in IA satisfactory
manner by terms which will he so alb
jectly Illuminating to Germany as to
be equivalent to unconstitutional surren-
der. An idea of why Germany Will be
compelled to give in is furnished by
the effects Of ,Austria's cspitulation. An
official dispatch received today says on
this point:
If Austria capituiates. the frontiers
IT Bavaria, Saxonv, silesia. Munich
Dresden and Brestau viii be unpro-
tot-ted- Tire IA tt and diBfoeatIon of Aus
tria means the end Of Germany TIE
great line 6t resiatance---B Berlin to Bag
dad--ts no more BaEdad has been for
year in the hands of the British The
Eulgar detection has shortened the
road up 70 Nidin and the Danube The
detection Of Austria will shorten IL to
Eedeuhach and TIC 1.-The The ancient
empire Is ruined
Austrias caplfnlatEon. following on
he heels of Turkeys action. WIN re-
= ase for action against Germany
through her unprotected frontiers more
tran 4.e'ta foe s1ler. Il was said today T
To-day was about the most cheerful day
about Washington since we entered the
war and President Wilson bespoke
&ooa cheer himself. He walked from
tire White Hou~s te Secretary f4srstug's
"a}ee In the state. MAR and navy build +
ing and was in session with MIR t.ans-
Ing and Secretary ~ War Baker for
17ore than IN hour and half When
INVESTMENT sTT71FEed approXi mately .
ff'& or more news paper correspondents
- ere gathered In The corridor +
My. he Satd smiling to Secretary
Baker, What Il Iot If curious neuS!e
There seems 10 be hanging around
here
1t * assumed ttaf the president was
Ssia in corItr2 gt4 teattan AaitA Caian4.i
fGase aud hes' rel eAc = tat3xss 81 eur
&avern'newf ~ no. are nnw- in France for
the negotiations
Twn pore ucfes~-one coming and one
Eotng--wNro i've features ~ the DAYS
6oings, The Swedish minister delivered
n Mr. Lansing the personal anroaI from
Count tndrassy, the Nustre- hungarian
fsroign minister asking the secretary
II states to try tn nerSuade the prest.
dent ~ hasten his ~teps toward peace
The other note vas in the form Of
reassu-ance from Lansing TO the Srsn-
f*h an bassador. who is the Turkish
charge d'aNaires here and that he had
attention 70 Turkeys mote Of several
da VS. age.