Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-11-13
A PERTINENT QUESTION

Undoubtedly the Allies, the United States and Field
Marshal ,Foch have been fully aware Of the fact that
they were dealing with Germany's duly accredited rep
resentatives when the armistice articles were signed
somewhere back Of the French lines not far from La
|capelle. There is no reason to believe that information
as to the exact status of the plenipotentiaries was lack
ing in really responsible quarters. but the man in the
street is today asking: with what Germany did the
Allies actually deal?
The question is pertinent even though 1T is conceded
that the conquerors had provided in advance for COM
plete and satisfactory knowledge Of the personnel OF
the delegation, for while these men were back Of the
French lines, the revolution broke out in Germany and
the emperor, abdicated.
No information has been forthcoming which would
show that the emperor of Germany or the general star
had appointed the special ENJOYS; judging from the
various kinds of news that emanated from Germany
just before~these men left on their humiliating mission.
they must have represented a powerful faction Of the
people without regard to any personal Hohenzollern
interests or any military clique. ..-H - u
But here is an element of perplexity: Reports about
the courier who was sent by the ENJOYS to the grand
headquarters at Spa were coupled with announcements
to the effect that the emperor was at that central point
Of the military administration. and that. further instruc-
tons and guidance for the attitude of the plenipoten-
tiaries were to come from Spa 1t must, however, also,
be recalled that the so-called peoples government at
Berlin was consulted, and that the emperor had abdicat-
ed before full authority to sign the arnistice agreement
appears to have been given. ID
+ So, when the situation is Analysed, it seems 20
amount to this: The armistice ENJOYS were representa-
tives Of the government at Berlin and received their
original instructions from the capital. It may have been
necessary for them to have these supplemented with
some details Of a military nature, and if this is so, the
logical place to apply, would naturally be the grand
headquarters of the German army.
In the absence of accurate details, it is reasonable
to surmise that the signing of the armistice agreement
may have been the deciding factor in the emperor's
mind, and that necessity forced his country to accept
terms which he himself thought SO humiiating that he
would rather renounce his rights to the throne than
submit to the demands made upon him. This may be
so or may not be so; the conjecture, at least, appears
plausible. especially in view of the fact that his imperial
colleague in Austria refused to append his signature to
any arnjstice papers.
After authority to agree to an armistice had been
given: after the large cities and many states of Germany
had revolted against autoeracy, the erstwhile kaiser alb.
seconded into neutral territory and at the present time
out a country. But perhaps he finds consolation in re.
TITS better to have ruled and lost
Than never to have ruled. at all. I
Whatever the Germans are doing now in the way
OF reconstruction, certainly will be done without orders
from the crown. and it Is quite evident that the Ger.
many with which the Allies and the United States today
are on at least speaking terms. is not the kaisers Ger
many. EG