The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-01-09

az 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 as the enemy line cracked.
Austria-Hungary, on November 3,
accepted the armistice terms which
provided for unconditional surrender,
| hostilites ceasing at three O'Clock
November T.
On November 3, President Wilson
notified Germany to apply to MaRShsi
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 a severe defeat on
| the enemy, clearing the whole front be
tween the Mouse and the Aisne. rapid
| ~ 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 off. The Americans occupied a
| part Of Sedan as the German peace
ENJOYS entered the allied lines and
| presented themselves to Marshal
Foch. Practically the entire German
| fleet 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 9 the kaiser abdicat-
| ed and the crown prince renowned
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 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 airpianes, 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 a peoples gov
eminent was set up.
Field Marshal Won Hindenburg re-
NAMED in supreme command of the
German armies and began to direct
the retirement of the Germans In &C
cordance with the terms Of the armis-
tice.
Carrying out the terms of the armis-
tice the Germans surrendered II war
ships to the allies on November q.
Conditions were very unsettled in
| Germany during the closing weeks of
the year, the socialist government ap-
parentIy 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
icaI 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. E. 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 large party of assistants.
sailed for France December f.
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
gian armies of occupation advanced
into Germany as the Germans retired
allied armies reaching the Rhine dur
ing the early days of December.