Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1919-01-01

shattered and the end in sight. Tur-
! key surrendered Internationally to the
British and the Austrians begged for
an armistice. while their armies were
in full iii ght The allied war council
at Versailles began to prepare the
terms to be submitted to the Germans.
The American First army smashed
the German lines at Grand Pre- and
advanced seven miles west OF the
Meuse rs the enemy line cracked.
Austria-Hungary, on November 8,
accepted the armistice terms which
provided for unconditional surrender,
hostilities ceasiDg at three O'clock
November 4.
On November 5. President Wilson
notified Germany to apply to Marshal
Foch for terms, he having been In
formed that they had been prepared
by the allied war council.
German ENJOYS were appointed and
approached the allied lines but in the
meantime the allied armies did not
lessen the pressure they were exert
ing on the enemy. The Americans,
having inflicted u severe defeat on
the enemy, clearing the whole front be-
tween the Meuse and the Aisne rapid
55ly advanced toward Sedan, cutting the
l vital communication between Metz
and the long, German line extending
to the north. The Germans, as result
of the American advance, faced the
necessity of undertaking a general re-
treat to save their armies from being
cut off.
On November the kaiser abdicat-
ed and the crown prince renounced
his claims to the throne The govern
ment Of Germany passed into the CON
troll of the social democrats and
Herr Ebert was made chancellor. The
kaiser fled to Holland and was per-
mitted to remain there by the Dutch
authorities. At the same time vari-
Gus other German princes abdicated
and soldiers and workmen's councils
sprang into existence at many points.
Germans Sign Armistic=.
On November II the German en-
vOys signed the armistice which
amounted practically to unconditional
surrender. Under the terms of the
armistice Germany agreed to evacu-
ate all invaded territory and retire
behind the Rhine, the allies to follow
and hold all important crossings of
the Rhine. The Germans agreed to
surrender the greater part of their
navy and thousands of heavy guns
and airplanes, rendering them unable
to renew hostilities.
The armistice became effective at
II a. M, Paris time, November IL.
Thus the great world war virtually
came to an end, although technically
it will end only with the signing of
the peace treaty.
With the cessation of hostilities
revolution spread through Germany
and Austria. Emperor Charles of
Austria abdicated and a peoples gov
eminent was set up.
Field Marshal Won Hindenburg re-
nained in supreme command of the
German armies and began to direct
the retirement Of the Germans in ac-
cordance with the terms Of the armis-
tice.
Carrying out the terms of the armis-
tice the Germans surrendered Il war
ships to the allies on November u.
Conditions were very unsettled in
Germany during the closing weeks of
the year, the socialist government ap-
parently sharing power with the sol
diers and workmen's councils. Plans
were under discussion for the sum
mOning of a constituent assembly to
determine the future character of the
government but activities of the rad
ical socialistic element under the lead
ership of Herr Liebknecht threatened
to disrupt rhe entire former empire.
On November % President Wilson
announced that he would head the
American delegation to the peace
conference and that the other dele
gates would be Secretary Of State
Lansing, Col. e. N. House, Henry
White, former. ambassador to France,
and Gen. Tasker II. Bliss, United
States military representative on the
supreme war council The president,
accompanied by the other peace dele
gates and a large party of assistants.
sailed for France December 4.
President Wilson arrived at Brest
December 10 and proceeded to Paris,
where he was given an enthusiastic re-