The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-31

Ailotner nole from the NreTHlan SON- ernment, explanatory of the changes that have been made or are protected In the German constitution and form of government, was received today through the Swiss legation, but the state depart ment did not make it public. This note was understood to be supplementary to the preceding German communication. saying to the President that he must have knowledge of the efforts that have been made to democratize Germany.
 WORKING ON REPLY
 President Wilson was at work today on his reply to Austria's renewed plea for an armistice and peace. and 1t was fore night, but later today it was saic at the state department that there would be no announcement regarding the reply tonight
 It was understood that in the note the President intended to touch upon the steps that Austria and Hungary have taken in the direction of releasing suo- ject peoples from political bondage. out that the Austrian governments plea would be referred to the allied govern ments.
 The administration was said to be well convinced now that Austria already is nearly out of tho war. and that her de- sire for peace is simply tempered by a naturs! disposition to get the best terms. possible short of unconditional suileii- der
 WILL APPEAL TO ITALY The report that Count Andrassy, the r,Ax A.,a{ -t, .I<< directly to Italy for peace on the ground that Italy is Austrias "sole antagonist, Is generally regarded as confirmatory of this understanding of the hopeless situa- tion in the dual empire.
 It was pointed out that since Italy solemnly engaged with the other entente powers not to make separate peace, if Austria carries out this plan 1t naturally would be referred by Italy to the supreme war council.
 There was no official information here today as to the progress of the delibera- tions of the supreme war council, and notice was taken of the reserved attitude of the council in issuing any statements to the public. The inference is drawn that definite policy has been agreed upon to withhold all information regard ing the discussions before the council.
 HOUSE REPORTS
 Col. F.. M. House. who is in Paris as the special representative of the Ameri- can government to the European govern ments. has been making long reports to Washington, but it is believed these do not relate to the proceedings of the war council, but rather embody the individual views he has gathered from many private conferences with the entente premiers, cabinet officers and military and naval officers in attendance upon the council!
 There has been much speculation in official circles as to the probable fea- lures of the armstice which will be of fered to the central powers. but 1t is admitted that there is no definite knowl- edge on the subject One comparatively new proposition relates to the guarantees to be exacted from Germany for the re- payment of the tremendous finacial losses suffered by the populations of those por- tions of Belgium and France occupied by the German troops. This Is under stood to contemplate the possession by the entente powers Of a aumber of 1m- portant industrial cities in the Rhine country and of the products of the mines and the soil therein until compensa- ton has been made. Thus Germay would be dependent upon the entente powers for any iron and coal or manufactured products she might have to draw from that territory
 AUSTRIAN NOTE REPUBLISHED
 The official text of the Austrian note, which did not differ materially from the