The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1918-11-14
WILSON SAYS GREAT TASK
AHEAD TO MAKE PEACE

| Washington, Nov. 11.-Signing of
the armistice with Germany, which
brings the world war to an end, does
not mean that the great American
military machine will cease to oper-
ate at once. America must play an
important part in disarming and
guarding the enemy until the work
is completed, even the movement Of
troops to France will be continued,
although on a greatly reduced scale
During the interval between the
cessation of hostilities and the conclu-
sion of the peace conference, it is
assumed that the major portion of
Gen, Pershing's eXpeditionary Forces
in France must be retained there. II
is possible also that for reasons of
international politics some American
garrisons may be kept in disputed
territory even after the actual peace
negotiations have been brought to
close.
Troops which have seen the long
est service in France probably will be
returned home soon, to be replaced
by new men in this country, who will
perform guard or other duty over
seas. There are now more than IL
100000 men now in camps in the
United States.
The question of discontinuing the
calling Of men to the colors under the
selective service act with the ending
of hostilities have been under con-
sideration. 1t is known that Gen.
Crowder's advisors have favored can
ceiling all outstanding calls as soon
as the armistice is signed, but this
matter must be passed on by the
general staff. The movement of
large number Of men to camp was
due to begin this morning under the
calls, which embrace about
100000 men. This draft was cancel
led.
Return home Of American naval
orces-battleships, destroyers, sub
marines, converted yachts, supply
ships and other craft-also will fol-
low the end of the war. Definite
plans have not been revealed, but it
IS assumed here that once DISPOSE
ton is made of the German high /
seas fleet and submarines, in accord I
ance with the armistice, the Amer
lean dreadnoughts with the British
grand fleet, together with most Of
he deStroyers and other submarine
hunting and convoy craft, will return.
Even with hostilities ended, how
ever, much other naval work, aside
rom that of taking over and guard
ing German and Austrian naval
remains to be done. Re-
noval of thousands of mines laid
~ the allied, American and German
lavies will form no small part of
his work, and undoubtedly the fleet
# mine sweeping and laying craft
tent overseas by the United States
will assist in this gigantic task. The
greatest mine field is that put down
n the North sea as a barrage against
German submarines. The mines were
in this country and
aid largely by American ships.
With the return Of all German sub
marines to their bases, allied and
American shipping once more may
all the seven seas without fear of
and in disregard Of the
populations made necessary by Ger
nany's unrestricted warfare. There
will be no more running at night
without lights, with its attendant
.angers Of collisions, and zigzagging
nd deviation from established ship
ing routes.
Much Of the shipping used for war
will be freed for peace time
commerce and there will follow a
.radual relaxation of the restrictions
IS to food and other necessities inn
,osed on the allied countries. These
hanges will not come immediately,
iowever, for it is the purpose Of the
American and entente governments
o cooperate with Germany, Austria,
Bulgaria and Turkey as well as Ser
ia, Belgium and Roumania, in fur
fishing as far as possible the food
nd other supplies necessary for the
ivilian populations of those coun-
ries.
Washington, Nov. 11-Presiden Will
on issued formal proclamation ct
0 o'clock this morning announcing
hat the armistice with Germany
ad been signed. Il
The proclamation reads:
my fellow countrymen: L