Norwich bulletin., 1918-11-05

which Germany may obtain an imme- diate ar1nietice and end the war were completed and signed today in Paris. secretary Lansing announced the fact tonight in a brief statement, adding oIgv that complete diplomatic har- mony had been achieved by the allied and American conferees at Versailles. It may be stated authoritatively 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 war;.
 The presumption in official circles here tonight was that the stipulations would be in the hands of the German government in less than twenty -four hours IT they are accepted, a reply settling the issue of further peace or further fighting may also be received within that time The uncertainty caused President Wilson to cancel to- night his proposed trip to New Jersey tomorrow 10 cast his vote in the con Eressional elections.
 Although the complete text of the historic Versailles document probably is only now on the cables for Washing ton. its substance had been reported upon fully and approved by the presi- dent before the final draft was pre- pared.
 Subjected to analysis by military off1rers here both allied and Ameri- cana the terms of the Austrian armis- tice. which are said to be no more drSstic than those for Germany, are iltArpreted to mean absolute surren- der. Nothing is left to the good faith of the vanquished and no restrictions
 q lao vtctors. These officers believe Ger many. left alone, also must throw her self without reserve upon the mercy of the victors.
 Final adjustments, territorial or otherwise. are all deferred to the peace conference for which the cessation of hostilities paves the way. The Ger man appeal for an armistice was sub mitted on the basis of acceptance of The peace terms already outlined by President Wilson and when the. dis cussions start 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 Yer saillcs.
 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 face d debacle of her armies. Signs of dis iutegration Of the German forces fac Ing 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 will be cut in half as effectual- lv as were the Austrian armies ir Italy. They then may be crushed sep lrately.
 So strong is the impression hert that Germany will accept that wheT word came that a statement was to b, issued by the state department to. night, a Washington newspaper pu uut an extra saying the war was ovel and Germany had surrendered. I rdused no excitement.
 It is generally assumed that tn, German government will receive thu drmistice terms through Washington as its request was received in tha way. The Austrian case does not form precedent as the appeal to Washing ton was supplemented after the col lapse of the Austrian front by a direc application to General DiaZ. the Ital Ian commander. Unless the situation of the German armies forces simila action on the western front, however it is assumed here that the German case Is being handled through diplo matic channels. The present Berlil civil government claims absolut authority over the army.
 The Versailles conferees evidentl did not sign the final draft of tn armistice terms until late today. Jus before s D. m it was stated at tn state department that he work Ina not been completed. An hour late word went out from the departmen that an important statement would forthcoming at g D. m.
 An attempt to apply the lessons c the Austrian armistice to Germany situation brings out several point upon which military men base thei forecast of the German terms. Fc one thing. 1t is regarded as certai that complete evacuation of Alsac Lorraine will be insisted upon as we as the occupation of the Rhine fort resses by allied garrisons. Surrende of the German submarines and a sut Etantial part of the high seas fleet an the occupation of land defenses ths protect German naval bases also implied.
 So far as the German army is con cerned. it must go back into German probably without the whole vast mech Rnism of war which 1t carried int France anu btlElulu. All IDe DlR gun tanks and aircraft, under the Austria precedent. would be concentrated an left under the direction there of th allied and American armies.
 It is pointed out, however, tn; since Germany is the last of the cer trsl powers, when she surrender ! there will be no need to provide fC the employment of her military equiI ment by Marshal Foch. There will 1 no one left against whom to turn u guns The terms for Germany, there fore, probably will show that varis ton from the Austrian conditions.
 One feature of the Austrian SUI render conditions which is thougl here to have been duplicated in u German terms is the entrusting Marshal Foch of the carrying out these programs of demobiization ar disarmament.
 Attention already Is being given he to the next phase after German ceases fighting. Officials have not 10 sight of the fact that armistices al only stepping stones to the perm; nent settlement of all the issues of u war. Political questions, boundarie even commercial rights and privilege an remain to be defined.
 Both in the United States and the allied. counties it is said the m