Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-10-14
FRANCE WILL NOT
STAY FOCH'S ARM
Sees Only Further Sign of
Cermany's Collapse in
Peace Answer
TEUTON ROUT IMPENDS
Believes Armistice Would
Give Enemy Six Months
More Staying Power
Special Cable TO Erening Public Ledger

Special Cable TO Erening Public Ledger
Copyrioht. 1918. .by Ncr York Times Go.
Paris. oct. II.
France is elated over TIE prospect OF
an early victorious ending OF the war IL
may or may not be surprising to Amer
leans TO learn that the German note to
Washington. agreeing TO accept an ar
mistice on the American terms. is not
great factor i'm producing this elation.
The chief Significance attached to the
latest note from Berlin is that II is an
other bit Of evidence of the approaching
collapse of the Central Powers. There
is no disposition to look upon II as any
thing recurring allied action outside the
realm of the military operations now
i'm progress ON the contrary, the ela-
tion and hopeful certainty OF this coun-
try have nothing to do with the neso-
tiations, but are based entirely on the
successes of the Allied troops ana tne
growing confidence that Germany is fast
approaching state Of military help-
lessness
IL Is the determination OF France not
to aid Germany to stave OF mat nclp-
lessness by giving her the armistice sne
" GldmDrlnE LOT. u Is tdlHtTN'N h'bN'
here that the American Government will
not see fit to transmit the German re-
ply to the Allied European powers.
Not to transmit II would be the sim
plest way out Of the situation created
between Berlin and Washington during
the last week.
But wherever the decision in the mat
ter may finally rest. there is nothing
more certain than the fact that the
French people are not prepared now TO
halt the victorious advance of the troops
under Foch.
It was military French opinion two
months ago that II G.udendorff and Hin
denburg withdrew all their forces, then
they would be able to save enough
man-power and material for another
years campaigning. That. also. was
German military opinion and judgment.
but political conditions In the interior
of Germany made such a move for safe
~ iradvsable. III the opinion OF the Ber-
lin Government. They took chance of
military rescue from disaster and lost.
Now they wish to rectify their blunder
at the expense of the Allies by getting
an opportunity to withdraw without
| further losses.
German Armies Near Rout
In the last two months they hav,
lost 5000 cannon. Their armies are en-
' tirely out of joint with each other eacl
command trying its best to save itsel
without thought of co-ordinated actor
with any other command. In othe1
| words. the German retreat Is. in fact
approaching the condition Of a rout
with encrmous losses at every step o
the way. and France does not wish tc
lend herself TO any negotiations tina
! will convert this long-desired plight o
| the invaders into safety for them ant
a chance to re-organize for more fight
| ing.
Give Germany an armistice? No .
| said a French military man TO me 10
day. we would give her the means ,c
prolong the war six months longer thar
is now necessary. We have the victory
now, but that Is not enough. We mus
use that victory"
No Trust In Germany
| The word sincerity" does not exis
in the French language in conversation
concerning Germany. Berlin. say tn