Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-11-02

that Hindcnburg informed the German
ruling group several weeks ago that the
German armies were unable to keep up
the contest.
BELIEVE BERLIN WILL ACCEPT.
For these reasons the expectation in
Washington is that Germany will ac-
cept the terms bf the armistice. These
terms, according to the understanding
here, admit of no debate. They must
be accepted to rejected in their en-
tirety. A quick ending of hostiities
is as much as Germany may hope for,
and she can gain that only by an un-
delayed favorable response to the state
ment of conditions imposed by the
victorious nations.
How the terms Of the armistice have
been or will be transmitted to the Ger
man government is not disclosed here,
but it was Indicated today that they
would be transm itted by Marshal Foch.
TREATED AS CONQUERED NATION.
Il had been supposed that since Ger
many appealed to President Wilson
through n neutral government, the same
means would be employed in conducting
all the preliminaries to the armistice-
But this is minor matter in comparison
to the great issues involved. The fact
remains. however. that Marshal Foch will
conduct all the arrangements for physica
compliance with the aru istice conditions,
and this will emphasize that the alleis
regard Germany as nation conquered
bv the sword.
What the conditions for the arms
tice are will remain Il State secret nntll
the formal announcement rs made, prob
ably after Berlin has given definite
NJ. haAy
agreed that there shall be no disclosure
until then. II Is rather generally under
stood. however, that compliance with the
terms by the German government will
rob that government of any chance OF
rcsuming hostilitles.
WONT con SUIT GERMANY.
Germany will be placed in such a
condition that the subsequent peace con
ference will resolve itself into dis
cussion among the Victorious nations as
to what the settlements shall be with
out consulting Germany on the subject.
When the victors have reached their
agreements Germany will bc informed as
10 the punishmcntS imposed upon her
and will bc without power TO offer any
resistance.
There IS much speculation Us to the
terms Of the annlstlcc, some OF II based
on actual knowledge of what IS IN the
minds Of the men engaged IN the con-
ference at Versailles Several OF the
drastic conditions that figure IN the spccu-
lation may have no basis in fact. but it
seems to he clear that the conclusion
of the annistice will end Germany S
military power and reduce her to such .
State of physical lmpotcncv that she will
IL Obliged 10 accept pcrforce any and all
peace conditions that the allies may
choose to impose
TO OCCUPY GERMAN TERRITORY.
The arnisticc program is believed to
include the withdrawal OF German
forces from All occupied territory, the
evacuation of Alsace-Lorraine. which
Will mean that these TWO provinces
viii never he returned to Germany
the scqueStritinn Of part OF Germany 5
navy: the surrender of all munitions Of
war and other military stores now in the
territory 20 he evacuated; the occupation
tn allied forces Of some Of the Rhine forts
and most important Of all from q moral
political and military standpoint, agree
ment that allied armies may occupy Ger
man territory where they would he IN n
position to cross the Rhine and march on
ID Berlin should Germany fail in any way
to live tip 10 the conditions exacted by the
allies These. it Is believed, viii he some
of the terms that Germany must accept
in order TO save herself from actual in
vasion
CAPTIVE HUNS May MORN II FRANCE.
ono of the most interesting ques-
tions involved is what disposition the
allied governments will make concern
ing the n;r, German prisoners OF war