On the 1st of November the Austrians were completely routed, and were
streaming in confusion down the valleys of the Alpine foothills, and
fleeing northward from the Piave. Reports from Austria indicated riots
at Vienna and Budapest. In Vienna people were parading the streets,
shouting "Down with the Hapsburgs!" On October 29th, the Austrians asked
for an armistice. Their announcement read as follows:
The High Command of the armies, early Tuesday, by means of a
Parliamentaire, established communication with the Italian army command.
Every effort is to be made for the avoidance of further useless
sacrifice of blood, for the cessation of hostilities, and the conclusion
of an armistice. Toward this step which is animated by the best
intentions the Italian High Command at first assumed an attitude of
unmistakable refusal, and it was only on the evening of Wednesday that,
in accord with the Italian High Command, General Weber, accompanied by a
deputation, was permitted to cross the fighting line for preliminary
pourparlers.
General Diaz, the Italian Commander, had referred the Austrian request
to the Versailles Conference, and had acted in accordance with their
direction. In proposing the armistice the Austrians had also expressed
their resolve to bring about peace and to evacuate the occupied
territory of Italy.
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