New-York tribune., 1919-02-19
German Assembly in Silent
Agony as Terms Are Read
s'W orld Will Condemn Allied Severity: hone You
May Never Have Fateful Hours [ Have Had,''
Says Erzberger; 'sWison Backs New Arnistice''

WE1MAR, Feb. II (By The Asso-
ciated Press) ).-Thc party speeches in
the National Assembly, which had been
set down for this afternoon, were rude
ly interrupted by the encouragement Of
the outcome Of the new armistice neco-
tiations. The general outlines of the
new terms were known early to-day,
and 1t was no surprise when President
Fehrenbach announced that the
speeches and arguments would be de-
ferred, so that Matthias Erzberger,
head of the German armistice delega-
ton, might give personal explanation
of what happened between his de-
partures for Treves last week and his
unexpectedly quick return to- day
Herr Erzberger, noticeably wrought
up and laborng under q strain, began
with the announcement that the dele
gates were entitled to know at the
earliest moment the full details of the
negotiations. He then read the terms
and the House listened in almost agon-
lzed silence. The slightest stir or
noise brought angry Kisses. The AS
STILL
Untold Responsibility
The minister read the terms in
House stirred uneasily as he finished
and stopped for breath. Before con-
tlnuing his explanation, Herr Err
berger interjected:
ut is my wish that you may never
have the fateful hours | have had. We
on the armistice commission have had
to bear untold responsibility"
He then referred to the unfortunate,
wellnigh fatal, delay in the arrival Of
details regarding Marshal Foch's ulti-
matum, which, he said, he was assured
was framed with the unqualified ap-
proval Of President Wilson,
Herr Erzberger told of his efforts to
secure notifications, but Marshal Foch
had been stcrnly insistent on the &C
ceptance of the terms. He touched
only briefly, but clearly, on his sue
cessful protests against Polish incor-
poraton of Silesia and his unsuccess-
full efforts to save Birnbaum, Bentschcn
and other German towns. He empha-
sized that the Allies would take over
the responsibility of keeping the Poles
in check and give guarantees for the
safety Of the Germans on the Polish
side
Marshal Foch Adamant
To Herr Erzberger's protests Mar
shall Foch replied that all the terms
were purely military measures and in
accordance with President Wilson's
fourteen points.
Herr Erzberger protested likewise
against the indeterminate extension Of
the armstice, but Marshal Foch
brusquely declined to make any altera-
tlon and insisted upon the inclusion of
a clause which gives him power to pro
mulgate any order to Germany at will
Herr Erzberger then demanded
whether the short indeterminate con
to an early peace, to which Marshal
Foch relied: II think so. | assume So"
The minister said the difficulties had
been greater because the negotiations
had become sharper and more acute re-
Gently, and a long discussion demon
strated that nothing more would be
changed. The minister assured the AS
sembly:
81 have confidence that Marsha,
Foch's given word will be kept"
Herr Erzberger said he had achieved
almost no results in his efforts TO
have German prisoners released, be
yond a promise by France and Eng
land to send back 10000 badly
wounded men each. He then read the
German note which he presented to
Marshal Foch as the armistice terms
were signed. He had had a sad mis-
sion, with few happy results.
THE world knows he concluded
chat we do not want new war anc
cannot conduct one The world will
condemn the Entente for its severity"
President Fehrenbach then an
nounced that the ministers and dele
gates intended to withhold their dec
larations until Wednesday. and sup-
gested that the House adjourn I'M
mediately in view of the nc,=.----44t ua-
ton.
The House accepted proposal to