Great Falls daily tribune., 1920-06-06
I HAVE No TERM" )"
WAS FOCH'S REPLY
To GERMAN APPEAL
Conversation Between Marshal
and Berlin Agents Is Given
for First Time.

New York, May 24.-Germanys ap-
peal for an armistice on NOV; 2, 1918,
met with the laconic reply, Il have no
terms" from Marshal Foch to Erzberger
and the other plenipotentiaries, accord
ing to Raymond Recouly Captain X,
French biographer of Foch and Joffre,
in an article entitled "What Foch Really
Said is published in the May issue of
Scribners Magazine.
Captain Recouly, describing. the his
toric scene of the morning of November
II, when the generalissimo of the allied
forces, attended by a few members OF
his staff, signed the document in rail-
way dining car in a forest near KEITH
onde. a town between Compiegne and
Soissons, declared "the sight of butter
seemed to fill the German ENJOYS with
joy" -.
"a cessation of hostilities in the name of
humanity" was received by Foch short
ly after midnight on the 1th and at 20
a. m. on the Sth Foch sent back his an
swer: ''The German plenipotentiaries
will have to go to the outpost on the
main road from Maubeuge-la-C Capelle-
Guise." From this point they were
brought by delayed stages to Rethonde,
which they reached about o'clock in
the morning Two hours later they were
in the presence of the commander of the
conquering allied armies.
When Leaders Meet.
There was a cold salute" says Cap
tain Recouly, "a bow in return; no pre-
sentations. The Germans took their
places at the table in the dining car.
where their names were written, and
embarrassed and upset. Not so the ci-
villains, who did not seem to care at oil.
They talked familiarly together; it was
impossible TO believe that their country S
fate was hanging in the balance, aud
that they were there to sign the most
'kolossaf capitulation the world had 'er
seen"
Foch's piercing eyes. gruff voice and
curt manner We're impressive. ITO whom
The Germ rs replied. What is the oh
ject of your visit? he asked. Then fol-
lowed this dialogue:
'Erzberger: We have come to mcguire
into the terms of an armistice, to be
concluded on land, on sea and in the air. p"
"Foch: | have no terms to submit to
you."
Count Oberndorf. the diplomatist in
the German party, intercedcd: If the
marshal prefers, we may say that we
are here to learn the conditions on which
the allies would be willing to grant us an
armistice."
'Foch: | have no terms"
Has Wilson's Letter.
Erzberger. drawing forth a greasy pa
per: president Wilson has informed our
government that Marshal Foch has been
invested with the power of submitting
the allies conditions to the German
plenipotentiaries."
"Foch: / will let you know the allies
conditions when you have asked for an
armistice. Do you ask for an arm's-
tice?'
ia" exclaimed Oberndorf and Err
berger together.
"Foch: In that case / will read YOU
the terms drawn up by the allied gov
ernments.' He sat down and the read
ing began 1t lasted an hour, for the
document had to be translated. The
Germans pleaded for an immediate sus-
pension of hostiities and for time tc
permit the Berlin government to ex-
anime the terms. Again Foch spoke:
Il an but the mouthpiece of the allied
governments. 1t is those governments
that have drawn up the conditions Of
the armistice limiting the delay TO -
hours duration. l have, therefore, no
power to suspend hostilities without their
authorization
Messenger Is Started.
The Germans at once dispatched a
messenger to Spa, with credentials and