The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1919-01-03

shattered and the end In sight. Tur-
key surrendered unconditionally to the
British and the Austrians begged for
an armistice. while their armies were
In full flight. The allied war council
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 as the enemy line cracked.
Austria Hungary. on November 8.
accepted the armIstice terms which
provided for uncd tional surrender.
hostiiIties ceasin4 Vat three O'Clock
November 4.
On November s. 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 envoys were appointed and
approa oached the allied lines but In the
meantime the allied armies did not
lessen the pressure they we're exert
ing on the enemy. The Americans.
having inflicted q severe defeat on
the enemy, clearing the whole front be-
tween the Meuse 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 a result
Of the American advance. faced the
necessity Of undertaking a general re-
treat to save their armies from being
cut OF.
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 fed to Holland and was per-
mitted to remain there by the Dutch
authorities. At the same time vari-
GUS other German princes abdicafed
and soldiers and workmen's councils
sprang into existence at many points.
Germans Sign Arnistiee.
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.
rrt. ot
II a. m, Paris time. November II.
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
ernment was set up.
Field Marshal Won Hindenburg re-
mained in supreme command Of the
German armies and began to direct
the retirement Of the Germans in ac
cordance with the terms Of the arrnis-
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 ap-
parently sharing power with the sol
diers and wOrkmen's councils. Plans
were under discussion for the sum-
moning of . 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 % 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. f. NJ. House, Henry
White, former ambassador to France,
and Gen. Tasker H. 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 13 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
gisn 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.