The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-11-05
GERMANS MUST APPLY
TO GENERAL FOCH
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complete diplomatic harmony had
been achieved by the allies and
American conferees at Versailles.
Same Terms as Austria
It may be stated authoritatively
that the terms, not yet given out for
publication, follow closely those I'M
der which Austria Hungary surren-
dered yesterday and passed out of
the war, leaving Germany to stand
alone against the world.
Awaiting German Reply
The presumption in official circles
here last night was that the stipula-
tons would be in the hands of the
German government in less than "a
hours. If they are accepted, a re-
ply settling the issue of peace or
further fighting, may also be receiv-
ed within that time. The uncertain
ty caused President Wilson to cancel
his proposed trip to New Jersey
today to cast his vote in the con-
gressional elections.
Although the complete text Of the
historic Versailles document proba-
bly, is only now on the cables for
Washington, its substance had been
the President before the final draft
was prepared.
According to an official report re-
ceived the terms Of the armistice to
be offered Germany have just been
agreed to unanimously and signed by
the representatives of allies and the
United States in Paris. The report
further states that diplomatic unity
has been completely achieved under
conditions of utmost harmony.
Terms Mean Absolute Surrender
Subject to analysis by military au-
thorities the allied and American
terms Of the Austrian arrnistice,
than those for Germany. are inter-
preted to mean absolute surrender.
Nothing is left to the good faith of
the vanquished and no restrictions
or limitations are imposed upon the
Victors. These officers believe Ger
many, left alone. also must throw
herself without reserve upon the
mercy OF the victors. 1
Wilson's Terms the Basis
Final adjustments. territorial or
otherwise, are all deferred to the
peace conference for which the ces-
The German appeal for an armistice
was submitted on the basis of &C
ceptance Of the peace terms already
outlined by President Wilson, and
when the discussion starts the allies
and the United States will be in a
position to dictate its result. In
fact, the real peace conference has
been sitting at Versailles.
German Army Disoraanrzed
The judgment of army officers as
to the situation on the western front
in a military sense is that Germany
must accept the armistice conditions
or face debacle of her armies.
Signs Of disintegration OF German
forces facing the Franco American
lines have been evident for two days.
If the breach is widened the German
armies will be cut in half as effec-
Cually as were the Austrian armie in
Italy. They then may be crushed
separately.
A Matter of Diplomacy
1t is generally assumed that the
German government will receive the'
armistice terms through ashington,
as its request was received in that
way. The Austrian case does not
form a precedent, as the appeal to
Washington was supplemented aft
er the collapse OF the Austrian front
by direct application to General
Diaz. the Italian commander. IN
less the situation Of the German ar
mics forces similar action on the
western front, however. it is assum-
ed here that the German case is be-
ing handled through diplomatic
channels. The present Berlin civil
ri ahGnlJ1tn
ity over the army.
What Is Required
An attempt to apply the lesson Of
the Austrian armistice to the Ger
man situation brings out several
points upon which military men bas-
ed their forecast of the German
as certain that complete evacuation
of Alsace-Lorraine will be insisted
upon as we'll as the occupation Of the
Rhine fortresses by allied garrisons,
surrender Of the German submarines,
and a substantial part Of the high
seas fleet and the occupation Of
land defenses that protect German
naval bases also Is implied.
Army to Return Stripped
So far as the German army is con-
cerned, 1t must go back Into Ger
many probably without the whole
vast mechanism of war which 1t car
ried into France and Belgium. All
the big guns tanks and aircraft I'M
der the Austrian precedent, would
be concentrated and left under the
direct control Of the allied and
American armies.
1t was pointed out. however, that
since Germany is the last OF the Gen.
trail powers, when she surrenders