Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-10-29


Those who followed closely the re-
ports OF the advance of the Germans
and retreat OF the allies between
March and July OF this year must have
noticed that the Germans used enor-
nous quantities OF munitions in Great
ing barrages of artillery fire and had
a preponderance OF poison gas and
liquid fire. To these causes, in addi-
ton to a superiority OF force at the
point OF contact the retreat of the al
lies was due. For more than ninety
days now the Germans have been in
retreat. and while the reports do not
tensive use OF poison gas and liquid fire
they do constantly speak of the adj
mirable artillery barrages set up by the
Americans and their allies: while no
mention is made Of the German artii-
lery except to record the enormous
number OF pieces OF all caliber-about
1000 in all-which have been captured,
The Germans have also lost enormously
in prisoners (nearly 300.000) and ma
chine guns (about 100000, showing a
lack of morale on the part of their men.
The German attack last spring was
delayed for several weeks beyond the
expected time. probably in order TO in
crease the stores of artillery projec-
tiles. These were used literally by the
thousands of tons; and when these
were exhausted and the allied attack
was begun under a master of war ex-
ercising a unified command. their re-
treat was inevitable. But il is not de-
tracing in any way from the genius
of Marshal F'och to say that without a
preponderance OF artillery the victories
he has gained would have been impos-
sible. Nor is it wise to reach the con-
ciusion that the German morale is per-
manently lost or that IL would not be
restored if they could again obtain the
advantage in artillery. If they can gain
time in which to accumulate a store OF
projectiles such as they had last spring
there is ground to believe that they will
fight as viciously as they ever did
But they must have more ammunition
Hence their frantic efforts to obtain an
armistice. They will leave nothing I'M
tried to accomplish this, and if they
succeed they will win a very different
kind of peace from that which will
otherwise be forced upon them.
There is a widespread. almost unan-
imous. opinion that the matter of an
armistice should be referred to Marshal
Foch. as allied commander in chief. and
it may help US to think clearly on this
point IL we refresh our memories as to
the nature Of an armistice or truce
These words are spoken Of in most die
tionaries as synonymous. but there is
distinction il not a difference be-
<,rn
but not every truce Is an armistice.
One is generic. the other is specific.
A truce is usually temporary. an ar
mistice is almost always ended by be-
ing merged into a permanent treaty Of
peace. A truce may be arranged be-
tween persons. natural or corporate in
time OF peace: an armistice is suspen-
sion OF hostilities between armies at
war. definitely arranged in writing be-
tween the commanders thereof. II one
army is prepared and has signified its
willingness to surrender. to give up its
arms. to change its status from that
Of comhatants to prisoners Of war. then
the commander in the field is able to
deal with the matter without any in
structions from his government. Our
own wars furnish numerous examples
of ILLUSTRATORS. Yorktown. Donelson.
vicksburg. Appomattox, Santiago. Ma
nila--in each case the enemy had agreed
to surrender its arms and an armistice
of a few hours or days was arranged
in order TO work out the details. But
il a commanding geneal undertakes to
stipulate terms Of peace in his armistice
or his terms of surrender he does so at
his peril. The classic case is that of
Sherman's armistice With Johnston in
1865, which was disavowed by his gov
eminent. and he was instructed to de-
mand that the enemy surrender as
prisoners of war, leaving the terms Of
peace to be determined by the govern
ment
Similarly in Europe. the surrenders Of
the armies at Sedan, Metz. Plevna. and
Shipka. were simply military capitula-
lions. the details of which had been ar
ranged in armistices of brief duration
which contained no reference to the
terms Of peace.
To refer the request for an armistice
to Marshal Foch is no solution of the
problem which now confronts the rulers
of the nations at war. All he could do
would be to send flag of truce de-
handing a surrender Of the German
forces between Client and Relfort as
prisoners OF war. That 1t would be re-
fused hardly admits Of doubt. Later on