The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1918-11-05

Washington, Nov. 4--rerms upon
which Germany may obtain an imme-
date armistice and end the war were
completed and signed today in Paris.
Secretary Lansing announced the fact
tonight in brief statement, adding
only that complete diplomatic har-
mony had been achieved by the allied
and American conferees at Versailles.
II may be stated authoritatiyely
that the terms, not yet given out for
publication, follow closely those under
which Austria-Hungary surrendered
today and passed out of the war, leav-
ing Germany to stand alone against
the word.
The presumption in official circles
here tonight was that the stipulations
would be in the hands OF the German
government In less than "a hours. II
they are accepted, reply settling the
issue of peace or further fighting may
also be received within that time. The
uncertainty caused President Wilson
TO cancel tonight his proposed trip to
New Jersey tomorrow to cast his vote
in the congressional elections. Al.
though the complete text of the his
toric Versailles document probably is
only now on the cables for Washing
ton, its substance has been reported
upon fully and approved by the Presi-
dent before the final draft was pre-
pared
Subjected to analysis by military
officers here, both allied and American
the terms of the Austrian armistice
which are said to be no more drastic
than those for Germany are inter
preted to mean absolute surrender
Nothing is left tnthe good faith of
he yanquished and no restrictions or
limitations are imposed upon the vic
tors. These officers believe Germany.
left alone, also must throw herself
without reserve upon the mercy Of the
yictors.
Final adjustments. territorial or
otherwise, are all deferred to the
peace conference for which the ces-
sation of hostilities payes the way.
The German appeal for an armstice
was submitted on the basis of accept.
9ace OF the peace terms already out
lined By President Wilson and when
the discussion starts the allies and the
United States will be in a position to
dictate its results. In fact. the real
peace conference has been sitting at
Versailles.
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
race debacle Of her armies. Signs of
disintegration Of the German forces
racing the Franco-American lines have
been evident for two days. The Ger.
man official statement yesterday ad.
mitted an American break through. II
the breach is widened the German
armies viii be cut in half as effectual
ly as were the Austrian armies in
tally They then may be crushed
separately.
So strong is the impression here
mat Germany will accept that when
word came that n statement was to be
Issued by the state department
tonight, n Washington newspaper put
out an extra saying the war was over
and Germany had surrendered. II
caused no excitement.
An attempt to apply the lessons of
the Austrian armistice to Germany's
situation brings out several points up.
on which military men base their fore.
cast OF the German terms, For one
thing 1t is regarded as certain that
complete evacuation of Alsace Lor.
raine Will be insisted upon as well as
the occupation of the Rhine fortresses
ny allied garrisons, Surrender of the
German submarines and substanti.
al part Of the high seas fleet and the
occupation Of land defenses that pro.
tect German naval bases also is i'm.
piled.
So far as the German army is con.
corned II must 10 back into Germany
probably without the whole vast mech.
anism OF war, which It carried into
France and Belgium. All the big guns
tanks and aircraft, under the Austrian
precedent, would be concentrated and
left under the direction there OF the
Allied and American armies.
Attention already Is being given
here to the next phase after Germany
ceases fighting. officials have not lost
sight OF the fact that armisetices are