Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-08-01
Prince Max Makes His Plea.

he had barely been appointed to the
most of chancellor, Prince Max OF
Baden telegraphed note to President
Wilson .begging him to undertake
the re-establishment" of peace and
asking, Gin order to avoid further
bloodshed," for the immediate Gonciu-
sion of an armistice. On the following
day. the 5th, in a speech in which ne
explained the policy of the new gov
eminent. the prince informed the
reichstag that, thanks to the incom-
parable heroism Of our army, the west
arm front is intact. This proud convic-
ton enables US to look forward with
confidence to the future; but, precisely
hecanse we are animated by these
sentiments and with this conviction.
II is our duty to assure ourselves that
this bloody conflict shall not continue
a single day longer than VIII De neces-
sary to enable us to bring the war 10
an end in such a way as not 70 aHect
orr honor. With the assent OF all the
ironerial departments concerned.
have addressed the following note to
President Wilson," etc.
"Is This German Victoryp"
This. haste in demanding an armi-
stice. without waiting even twenty
four, hours for the reichstag to be
called together, this speech which re-
fIects the wish to reassure the par
who were anxious as TO
the fate Of the army and the nation
was 1t not proof tnat Do.n Inc S h;a,,
command knew that military defeat
was inevitable?
that this defeat was near. They were
aware that, between September 70
and October 20, 1879 German dlflsions,
The. fifty-five divisions which held
the attacked fronts were reinforced
hv eighty -four divisions. Thirty six
Of these were engaged twice during
this period. In addition, the whole OF
sace-Iorraine front had to be thrown
into the battle. The daily table Of the
enemy's forces, drawn up by the IN
teIIigence department. at the French
q. ii. O.. showed, moreover. on DC
tober II, that forty-four OF the d.
|, Of Sustaining a serious conflict. and
that for the purpose of replacing
them the Germans had only seven
fresh divisions in reserve and only
about fifteen to draw on in the quiet
sectors. The note ACCOMPANYING THIS I;
be impossible for the enemy. with the
force he has NOW in line, to hold out
for any appreciable time against an
attack of any Importance"
Marshal Foch consequently directed
that the general offensive should be
continued, without respite, on the
! whole of the front from the NORTH
sea to the Meuse. His initial objective
was to drive the enemy out of hii
last remaining defensive organiza.
tions (the merchandising and
Hundingstellung), where he calcu.
lated to fight the decisive battle.
An order issued by Gen. Won Larisch
commanding the 54th German Army
Corps, dated October 10. was as fol
lows:
"The crown prince of Bavaria,
group Of armies are about to fight the
| decisive battle on the Lys-Hermanr
| lines. This line must be held at any
cost This order Is to be notified tt
all grades of officers down to com.
manders of regiments Gnclusively(."
| An order issued by the imperia
German crown prince to the com
mander Of the 18th Army. dated Oc'
tober IS:
'aThe defense of the position from tn,
| Disc canal to the Sambre is Of grea
strategical importance to the front Of
| the army group. i rely confidently or
the army to hold it's new position
| whatever 1t may cost"
Copyright. 1919. by the Chicago Daily News Co