Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-11-10
Publication of Kaiser's Abdi.
cation Arouses But Rip
pie of Interest.
OFFICIAL WASHINGTON
MAKES NO COMMENT
Emperor Believed to Have "Side-
stepped" 0nus of Surren-
dering Armies.

VV4xNS 04m4CS.
The tremendous news from Germany
that the kaiser had decided to abdi-
cate was heard in Washington with
scarcely more than a ripple Of in
terest
: Everywhere the question was asked.
HAS the armistice been signed?" So
far as the American government knew
late last night it had not been signed.
and the prevailing belief was that the
German answer to Marshal Foch could
not be expected before today.
To members of the government and
diplomats who a few short weeks ago
would have been amazed and gratified
beyond belief the announcement that
William II had bowed before the will
OF the world was accepted as a thing
to be expected 1t was accepted as one
of the acts in the great tragedy, sur
prlSlng now only, perhaps, because it
was enacted before instead of after the
capitulation of the war machine about
to be broken to pieces on the western
front.
Causes No Official Statement.
White House or from other govern
ment sources. President Wilson,
whose demand 'autocracy must go"
has been blazoned upon every re-
sponse to the, German pleas for peace.
was waiting. He wanted to know who
thing more than decree by Prince
Maximilian sent broadcast by wire
less to prove that the kaiser and his
power actually have gone.
The one thing that officials empha-
sized was that whatever might happen
within Germany at this late date could
make no difference in the military
program of the allied and American
governments. There will be no modi-
hcatlon OF the surrender armistice
terms which Marshal Foch has given
the Germans until II o'clock Monday
morning to accept or reject, and unless
the acceptance is forthcoming the un-
interrupted advance of the victorious
armies will continue until the white
flag OF surrender appears.
Acceptance Inevitable.
Military men as well as civilian Off
cials and diplomatic observers regard
acceptance of the armistice terms,
harsh as the Germans may deem them,
as inevitable. knowledge that the
army Is beaten and soon must be in
retreat across it's own borders, prob
ably to join in revolution at home,
is regarded as certain to force the
most obstinate among the enemy to
yield within the time allowed
AS to the effect of the kaiser's de-
German reply might be sent to Mar
shall Foch no one was prepared to
speak with confidence. The first
thought was that with the promulga-
tion of the chancellor's decree the
courier probably had been started
back with instructions that the ar
mistice ENJOYS waiting within the al
lied lines accept at once and bring
hostilities to an end. But it was recog-
nized as possibility that the social
down by the war lords might attempt
to make their ascendency the basis OF
another appeal for discussion of modi-
6cationS in the surrender conditions.
News Of Abdication.
The wireless message quoting the
chancellors decree proclaiming the
abdication decision and renunciation
Of the throne by the crown prince
was received here first late yester-
day afternoon through the British
wireless preSs.S Later it was official
~ announced at the State Depart
ment that the same message had
been picked up directly by the Amer
German station at Nauen.
The belief here is that If the Hohen-
zollern dynasty actually has ended
William H. like Carl of Austria-Hun-
gary. knowing the time of his going
was near, refused to permit history
to record that he signed the document
which must completely destroy Ger
man military power and require Ger
many in advance to submit to any
terms of peace which her enemies may
choose to impose. The Austrian armis-
tice was signed just as effectively as
could have been done by royalty-by
the Austrian chief of staff, with whom
Gen. Diaz. the Italian commander-in-
chief, dealt as the responsible spokes-
man of the defeated army.
Likewise, the German army may
have cessation of hostilities when
ever it pleaSes, if competent spokes-
men accept what the United States
, and the allies have offered through
their commander-in-chie
To Deal With People.
When it comes to a conclusion of
permanent peace, Of course, the VIC
torious associated nations will deal
only with authority set up by the
German people, fully warranted in en-
tering upon an international engage
ment. The terms Of armistice will be
SUFFICIENT guarantee that Germans
bors while this government is being
set up. The conditions Of permanent
peace which will be dictated will safe
guard the future.
The worlds Indictment against Ger
many. for use at the peace conference.