Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-10-30
FREE ALL'IS
U.S.PROGRAM
FOR AUSTRIA
President Cites Only Aus
trian Way Out-Gives
Allies Foes Plea.

Washington. Oct 30. As
word OF the new German move
came, il was learned that Pres
ident Wilson was working to-
day on a reply to the last Of
ticial note from Vienna In which
the Austrian government ac-
cepted all principles and con-
ditiOns OF the president and
asked for armistice and peace
proposals.
The reply, which probably
will be made public tonight, is
expected to inferm the author
tiles at Vienna that on the
basis of acceptance Of all cOndi-
tons, including actual indie
pendenoe and not mere autOH-
Omy for subject natienalities,
their request has been referred
TO the governments with which
the United States is assOciated.
Although officials here regard the
Austro-Hungarian situation as far
from clarified and are inclined to
question how far the government
at Vienna now is qualified to speak
for any one. the understanding is
that they are to be dealt with on the
theory that as in case of the Ger
mans, acceptance OF armistice
terms amounting to surrender in
the field, win be the best guarantee
of faithful performance Of any
promises
Await Andrassy's Note.
Secretary Lansing had not re-
ceived early today the note report
ed to be coming from Count An
drassy, the Austrian foreign min
lister. asking him to intervene with
President Wilson to hasten an ar
mistice and peace discussions. 1t is
assumed that this unusual proceed
ure was adopted to impress upon
the peoples at home the desire OF
the government to bring about i'm
mediate peace Another communI-
cation to the president himself was
not in order, no reply having been
received from the last.
Awaits Text of New Eote.
President Wilson was not ex-
pected to make known his decision
as to Austria's renewed plea for an
armistice until the official text of
the note from Count Andrassy, the
new Austro-Hungarian foreign min
lister, to Secretary Lansing, asking
the secretary to intervene with the
president, was received The IN
official text of the Andrassy com
as transmitted from
Vienna. via Basel by the AssOciat-
ed Press. was received early today
and was read by officials with Hn-
disguised interest
No less interesting was the re
port from Vienna also received to-
day that the Austro-Hungarian
had transmitted 10
London, Paris. Rome and Toxic
copies Of its latest note to Presi-
dent Wilson begging the approval
and support Of the allied govern
ments for it's new plea for armis-
tice on all fronts and peace nego-
t;ations.
Move Unexpected.
These moves by the Austro-H Hun
garian government and its new for
eign secretary were wholly unex-
pected and were viewed in some
as emphasizing the seri-
ousness Of the situation confront
ing Emperor Charles at home. Tn
this rather unusual
procedure was expected
to cause exchanges between Wash
iugton and the entente chGucellOrs
refore a final decision IS made by
the president
In the light Of these moves and
the Austrian note 10 the president.
observers found it diff
hcult 10 understand the purpose of
the semi-oAicial note. as reported in
cable dispatches last night from
Vienna asserting that the note to
the president does not necessarily
signify that Austria seeks sep
erate peace.
Truce Terms FIXED.
Interest in official circles today
however. was not altogether cen
tered in the Austrian peace efforts
the decision as to tho
Austrian peace notes, the final out
come Of all peace discussions will
hinge on the pronouuccments OF tho
supreme council az Versailles.
which reports from London say all
ready has agreed upon the terms
Of an armistice and presented them
to the military advisers Such
speedy action by the council was
accepted generally as Indicating
the unanimity Of the views of the
allied and American governments.
EDITOR ON WAR BOARD.
Washington, Oct 80 The ap-