Gilpin observer., 1919-01-02

shattered and the end In sight. Tur-
key surrendered Internationally to the
British and the Austrians begged for
| an armistlce, while their armies were
in full flight. 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 as the enemy line cracked.
Austria-Hungary, on November 3,
accepted the armistice terms which
provided for unconditional surrender.
hOstilities ceaslng at three o'clock
| November 4.
On November 8, 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
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 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 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-
ous other German princes abdicated
and soldiers and workmen's councils
sprang into existence at many points.
Germans Sign Armistiee.
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 eyacu-
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
ernment was set up.
Field Marshal Won Hindenburg re-
malned 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 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 a constituent assembly to
determine the future character of the
government but activities of the rad
lcal socialistic element under the lead
ershlp 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. NJ. House, Henry
White, former ambassador to France,
and Gen. Tasker n. 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 a.
President Wilson arrived at Brest
December 13 and proceeded to Paris,
where he was given an enthusiastic re-
ceptlon. 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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