The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-01-16

at Versailles began to prepare the
terms to be submitted to the Germans.
The American First army smashed
the German lines at Grand Pre- ana
advanced seven miles west OF the
Meuse as the enemy line cracked.
Austria Hungary, on November o.
accepted the armistice terms wnlcn
provided for unconditional surrender,
hostilities ceasing 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 ana
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 severe defeat on
the enemy, clearing the whole front be-
tween the Mouse and the Aisne, rapid
| ly advanced toward Sedan, cutting the
| vital communications between Metz
and the long German line extending
| to the north. The Germans, as result
of the American advance, faced the
necessity of undertaking general re-
| treat to save their armies from being
| cut off. The Americans occupied
| part Of Sedan as the German peace
ENJOYS entered the allied lines ana
| presented themselves to Marshal
Foch. Practically the entire German
| feet was reported in revolt and revo-
luton was spreading through Schles-
| wig and other parts of Germany. On
| November the Bavarian diet de-
posed King Ludwig and the Wittels-
bach dynasty.
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 Armistice.
On November IL 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
IL a. M, Paris time, November IL.
With the cessation of hostilities
revolution spread through Germany
and Austria. Emperor Charles of
Austria abdicated and peoples gov
eminent was set up.
Field Marshal Won Hindenburg re-
| manned in supreme command of the
| German armies and began to direct
the retirement of the Germans in ac-
| cordance with the terms Of the arms
| tice.
Carrying out the terms Of the armis-
| tice the Germans surrendered II war
| ships to the allies on November p.
Conditions were very unsettled in
| Germany during the closing weeks OF
the year, the socialist government APP
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 the entire former empire.
On November 20 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. M. House. Henry
| White. former ambassador to France,
| and Gen. Tasker FL. Bliss, United
States military representative on the
supreme war council. The president.
accompanied by the other peace dele
gates and large party of assistants,
| sailed for France December 4.
President Wilson arrived at Brest
| December Is and proceeded to Paris,
| where he was given an enthusiastic re-
| ception. He at once entered into con-
| ference with the allied leaders, in prep
aration for the opening of the peace
| conference in January.
British, French, American and Bel
gian armies of occupation advanced
| into Germany as the Germans retired
| in accordance with the armistice, the
allied armies reaching the Rhine dur
| Ing the early days Of December.
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