Evening star., 1928-11-11
THE WORLD WAR ARMISTICE
Day by Day Negotiations Ten Years Ago
BY General MordacG
military Secretary to Clemenceau1

days later by one of the eye witnesses,
and not minor one either.
On November 8. at 9 o'clock IN the
morning, Marshal Foch assisted by
Admiral Sir Wan1yss and Admiral Hope
of the British navy, met the German
envoys at Rettondes. At 9:l0 O'Clock
a telephone call advised NJ. C!emenceau
of the meeting. At $50 o'clock tele-
plioned to Gen. Weygard, who was
chief of staff to Marshal Foch, advis-
ing him that in my opinion Foch
should insist upon the complete with
drawal of the Bavarian troops from the
Tyrol Italy had just sent very in
sistent telegram to that effect and the
italian Ambassador himself had tele-
phoned to insist particularly upon that
point.
Gen. weygard telephoned to me at
9:4o O'Clock that "the Germans instead
of confining themselves to discussion
Of the questions concerning the arrni-
stice sought to sound out the general
conditions of peace which would be i'm
posed on them
/ telephoned to Marshal Foch, at
1905 o'clock, for NJ. Clemenceau, the
message that "At no pretext was he
to discuss peace conditions with the
Germans" II the German delegates
returned to that subject, Foch was in
structed to dodge their questions and
to make them understand that he as a
soldier could charge himself only with
negotiating the arnistice and that the
conditions Of peace were affairs to be
settled by the government. About II
o'clock. Marshal Foch telephoned and
had me advise M. Clemenceau that the
Germans insisted very much on obtain
ing an immediate suspension of fighting,
even before any agreement had been
reached on the armistice conditions.
Suggestion of Germans.
They stressed the Importance and
the interest which we all had in stop
ping as soon as possible the flow of
blood, and that during the long war
there had been too much blood shed to
continue to shed it uselessly. Coming
from the Germans, themselves, these
suggestions were really very suggestive.
At 1920 o'clock, I telephoned Foch to
advise the Germans once and for all
that no suspension of arms would be
allowed until they had signed the
arnistice.
Fcch then told them plainly and
without mincing words, the decision
Of the allied governments. There be-
ing nothing else to do, the Germans
insisted no longer.
Paris was wild with excitement. 1t
was generally known, and fairly ac-
curately, the conditions that had been
imposed on the Germans and every one
at that time wondered with anguish
whether the Germans would accept the
conditions which appeared draconfan.
During the day I received the visit
of many parliamentarians and diplo-
mats, and none of them thought of
criticizing the terms, although the Eng
lish diplomats, like Lloyd George and
Marshal Haig, were inclined to believe
that the allies had imposed too harsh
terms on the Germans
All of these visitors, parliamentarians
diplomats and generals, French and
foreign, showed clearly their anxiety
and awaited with impatience, and sort
of patriotic fever. the result of the
negotiations. The crowds became so
great in my Office, that at a certain
time was obliged, as was M. Clemen-
ceau in his Office, to lock my door
during several hours.
Not only during that day, but In the
days that followed. never heard one
OF these parliamentarians, generals
diplomats or journalists make the
slightest allusion to the real situation
in Germany, which, as matter of
fact, was known to but few in France
1t cannot be repeated too often. No
one among the allies was accurately in
formed as to exactly what was hap
pening in Germany during those first
days in November.
Wilson's Position.
It has been said, repeatedly, that Mr.
Wilson and the American diplomats
knew the exact situation on the other
side of the Rhine. I have no proof
that I can present against such a
statement, but, on the other hand, no
one has ever been able to bring me the
slightest proof in support of that con-
tention. How can we believe, as final
proof, that If Mr.. Wilson knew the facts
the American Ambassador in Paris did
not Immediately advise M. Clenenceau?
Furthermore. when, on the morning
OF November IL, 1918, announced the
news of the signing of the armistice to
Col. House. q perfect speciman of an
honest man and gentleman, a sincere
friend of France. I recall how aston
ished he was and how his face reflected
his happiness, which seems to prove
that he was not better informed than
We were.
1t must not be forgotten that at this
time Col. House was kept informed by
Mr.. Wilson concerning all diplomatic
and political affairs involving the allies.
So thus there is another legend to de-
stroy-that which would maintain that
America was better informed of Ger
many's true condition than we or the
British were,
What could have been known, any,
how, which would have had any in
fluence on negotiations then under way?
Absolutely nothing. Evidently serious
trouble had broken out jim Germany, but
on November 8 Wilhelm II was still
Emperor, Max of Baden was still chan
cellor and order reigned in Berlin. 1t
was not until the next day, November
9, when the curtain went up on the
great drama Of the HohenZollerns and
Germany. It was only the next day.
and at 2:15 o'clock in the afternoon,
that Wilhelm abdicated.
Thus. on November 8, when the Ger
mans arrived at Rethondes to negotiate
the armistice, the allies found them
selves face to face with representatives
OF the actual German government, none
other than the imperial government.
Gen. Weygand and Gen. Desticker,
chief of the general staff kept me con-
stantly informed, telephonically. of the
progress Of negotiations.
Around noon I received call an
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