Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1920-11-08
BY HENRY WALES.
New York Times-Chicago Tribune Cable.
Copyright 1920

Copyright 1920.
Paris. Nov. S.-Andrie Tardieu in
L'Excelsior, in an editorial describ-
ing the arnistice negotiations, re-
veals that it was not President Will
son, Colonel House, Gen. Bliss or
Gen. Pershing who insisted that hos
tilities should end as soon as Germany
accepted the IA points. but that Sir
Douglas Haig, Mr. Lloyd George
and Gencralissimo Foch himself ar
gued against the arrnistice terms be-
ing made so harsh that the Germans
might reject them.
Gen. Bliss, the article states, pro-
posed that the armistice contain
these two clauSes-total disarma-
ment and complete demobilization.
Gen. Foch objected bitterly when
Admiral Jellicoe insisted upon the
surrender OF the German fleet. as
serting that this was only sop to
the public. and Mr.. Lloyd George
warned the naval members not to
push Germany too far.
"On October %, 1918, President
Wilson asked the allies first, il they
should suspend or continue hostil-
tiles; second, i an armistice seemed
desirable, what conditions would be
necessary to prevent Germany from
renewing the war and to allow the
allies to impose the peace terms" the
article continues.
Divergence Over Clauses.
Gen. Foch summoned Gen. Petain,
Sir Douglas Haig and Gen Per-
shing to Senlis on October Is, and
asked them what they thought of an
armistice. No one proposed ~efusal
of the German proposal, but diver
gence was found over the clauses.
Gen, Haig spoke first.
ut IS necessary to conclude an
armistice under the most moderate
conditions" be said. "The victorious
allied armies are exhausted. Our
various units must be reformed and
Germany is not a broken military
power. During the last few weeks
their armies have retired in the best
of order, fighting bravely.
IT we really want an armistice,
and we do, we must propose clauses
Germany will accept, the evacuation
OF invaded France and Belgium; re-
torat!on of Alsace Lorraine, and re-
stitution of destroyed rolling stock. |
Ii we demand more, we risk prolong-
ing the war, which already has been
so costly, and chance exasperating
the German public opinion for
doubtful result.
Gen. Pershing declared that he
desired to listen to Gen. PetaiI
before expressing his opinion.
Urged Disarmament.
"Thereupon Gen Petain said:
"'lf we conclude all arnlistice there
must be complete assurance that the
nerly is prevented from recommenc-
ng the war. The German army
must return to Germany without
single calit,on or tank, with only
heir side arms. | suggest as prac-
ical method to achieve this assur-
lnce, the fixing of a short evacuation
erm to prevent the enemy from
,arting off war material and a pro-
,ision that the allies shall occupy the
eft bank of the Rhine and a zone
20 kilometers deep on the right bank.
At the same time we must demand
he 5000 locomotives and 100000
reight cars.
These conditions are indispens-
Ible, but l doubt that Germany will
Iccept them.
Gen. Pershing declared him
elf in accord with Gen. Petain.
"On the next day Gen. Foch
wrote M. Clemenceau the definite
Between October % and 26 the
:hiefs of the allies arrived in Paris,
-ol. House reinforcing Gen.
Bliss. who was the American mem
,er of the supreme war council.
Demanded Fleet Surrender.
"The Versailles conference did not
md the conditions to be harsh
nough. The British demanded that
he entire German high seas feet
nd all submarines be surrendered
Colonel House asked General
'och: From the military point of
Jew alone and regardless of all