20/10/1918 Lansing’s note to Vienna: the writing on the wall for Austria-Hungary #1918Live

Emperor Karl of Austria-Hungary had hoped that his People’s Manifesto, a proposal for national federalism within Austria (but not Hungary) would go some way to dampening down separatist tendencies within his Empire. It has however failed to do so. Increasingly the various peoples of Austria-Hungary see the Habsburg Empire as a failed entity that they want nothing more to do with. Autonomy within Austria is not good enough for people who are now seeking independence.

Emperor Karl also hopes that a swift conclusion of an armistice might also relieve the pressures threatening to tear the Empire apart. His own request for an armistice went to the Allies with that of Germany. As the Germans are the senior of the Central Powers, Wilson is engaging primarily with them. However today a disturbing note arrives in Vienna from Washington. Wilson had previously been seeking peace on the basis of his