Salt Lake Tribune | 1918-10-30 | Page 2 | Austria Seals Fate of Huns

AUSTRIA SEALS FATE J HUNS Peace Plea Is Regarded as Putting Final Touch to Germany. By WALTER DURANTY. (New York Times-Chicago Tribune Cable, Copyright.) WITH THE FRENCH ARMIES, Oct. 29. The Austrian note may be considered consid-ered as putting the seal on the certainty of a speedy German capitulation. Some, however, point out the combative value of enemy forces still remains considerable and suggesting that the resistance will be prolonged for some time further, with the idea "of letting the nation down gently" toward the idea of defeat. But this opinion is not widely held. German army orders recently seized show evidence of a shortage of munitions muni-tions and transportation and also air inferiority. in-feriority. There is also reason to suppose sup-pose the supply of gasolino is diminishing diminish-ing to a dangerous extent. Injunctions to maintain discipline by every available means indicate the morale Is steadily weakening, although It is noteworthy that the French have remarked a general improvement of the morale during tho past fortnight in response to the stimulus, stimu-lus, "Peace is now certain within a brief period. Fight your best now, that it may be as favorable as possible." One statement signed by Von Jacobi just taken by Debeney's army runs: "Officers must endeavor to explain the situation to the men at all times without with-out waiting on the enemies' notes, which, if unfavorable, may provoke pessimism, unless everyone clearly understands that the German government at this moment is devoting itself by every means to the re-establishment of peace. The peace It desires Is one that the people will approve." ap-prove." Although the pressure in favor of peace appears to be coming chiefly from the interior of Germany, the French war chiefs are convinced that the hazardous situation of the Germany army is really the deciding factor. More than one far-sighted commander was not afraid to say as long ago as two months that the enemy was involved in a mesh of circumstances whose inevitable inevita-ble end was colossal disaster. I reported this optimism at the time in terms that may then have seemed unduly hopeful, but the officers' foresight has been justified jus-tified and every day brings the prophecy nearer fulfillment, unless the Germans choose the saner policy of complete surrender. sur-render. I am In a position to state with certainty that the military conditions of the armistice are such as will break Ger mania's sword irretrievably. If the enemy is rash enough to refuse them, events will move on to their appointed climax. Throughout the French army there is not the faintest danger that the desire of peace, keen as It Is. will Interfere with a relentless prosecution of operations. From Foeh to the second-class Poilu. all are filled with an iron determination to drive Germany to the bitter end unless unqualified capitulation saves them the trouble. As I write Debeney's troops are hatter-ing hatter-ing at tho bid castle fortress whose subterranean sub-terranean passages, strengthened with a system of trenches and barbed wire, form the last bastion of the Guise defense. de-fense. During the fight heavy explosions explo-sions were signaled In German lines, and It Is probable that the evacuation of the Olty Is already in progress. This desperate des-perate struggle typifies the attitude of the whole French army. They have set their hands to the task of breaking Germany, Ger-many, and will not halt until the task lias been accomplished.