New-York tribune., 1918-10-16
Washington L arm s
Hindenburg Is Man
Who Advised an
Armistice at Once
General Shows He
Realizes Defeat
Tells Reichstag Armies
Have Not the Neces-
sary Munitions to
Continue War

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15.-Interna-
tional political conditions in Germany
and possibly in Austria hungary, as
we'll as the militia, situation on the
Western front, are expected to deter
mine the nature and time of the Ger
man reply to President Wilson's COM
munication of yesterday, definitely
closing the door to peace negotiations
with German autocracy. The Presi-
dents note probably has reached Ber-
lin through the Swiss Foreign Office.
Reports reaching Washington to-day
through official sources BY way of neu-
tral countries indicate tn. existence
of almost chaotic condlt uns in the
Central Powers, ard also scid that it
was F eld Marshal ven Hjndenburg
himself who was responsible for the
German government accepting the
Presidents peace terms and seeking
an immediate araistice.
It was said that at recent meeting
Of the military leaders and tho heads
of the parties in the Reichstag Won
Hindenburg declared boldly that Ger
many must have peace at once on the
best terms she could get. He said the
armies no longer had the necessary
munitions and materials to continue
the struggle, nor was there any source
of supply, so far as he was aware.
Armistice and Then Peace
In the light Of this situation, the
Field Marshal said, he felt the time
had come to try first for an armistice
and then for peace.
He urged that this could be put in
the light of a concession to the de-
mands of the Socialists and pacifists
in Germany. Prince Macmillan, the
Chancellor, is reported to have opposed
strongly such course, dreading re-
action against the Jrnker element by
the Socialists. but imperial approval
was given Won Hindenburg's plans and
the request for peace followed.
No indication has been given con-
cerning when replies will be made by
President Wilson to the Austrian and
Turkish appeals for peace. It is under
stood there is no ground for the appre-
hension which has arisen in Austria
that the President would refuse to re-
ply to Premier Burian's appeal because
of the autocratic character of the Aus
trian government. 1t was said that
this might we'll figure in a final peace
proposal, but would not operate to pre-
vent the consideration Of an armistice
which Austria seeks.
Waits for Note to Sink In
The same is true Of the Turkish ap-
peal; and, while not officially stated,
it Is believed the prime reason for
delaying replies to both these appli-
cations is to afford time for the Presi-
dents response to Germany's peace
proffer to filter to the masses Of Aus
tria and Turkey through the rigorous
censorship that exists.
In the meantime. attention now is
centred on the military situation and
renewed efforts to furnish the armies
closing in on the Central Powers all
the men and material needed to achieve
a military victory in the field.
A prediction is cabed that the Ger.
man defensive cannot be continued
without debacle for more than three
months at the outside. This state
ment, from a well-informed neutral
source regarded as semi official. is
based upon belief that a great reyolu-
tion is impending in Germany, the
majority of the people being deter
mined to have peace at any price.