The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-11-02

Smunicate with their government. Ow-
| ing to the fact that the Germans had
not brought any cipher, Marshal Foch
refused to allow wireless to be used
| and the terms thus made public prop
| erly before perusal and consideration,
| and so Captain Won Helldorf was dis
patched to German headquarters at
| Spa with copy.
| General Won winterfeld then asked
that hostilities might cease immedi-
| ately $50 as to avoid useless blood
| she'd" and, speaking In French. he
| actually referred to the route-"la de-
| route" the actual word used-of the
| German army.
/ Marshal Foch, however. would not
| agree to giving the enemy any breath
| ing space that might allow them to
reorganize, and he stated emphatical-
/ " that fighting should not cease until
5 accepted and signed.
Independent discussions were con-
tinued during the afternoon in the
conference car by the various Ger
man delegates, the chief matters neces-
sarily being of a naval and military
nature, and during these talks the fear
full economic condition of Germany
was laid bare
Besides foodstuffs, necessary mate
was in such short supply that the
country was very literally at it's last
gasp.
Another complaint of the Germans
was against both the blockade and
blacklist continuing after the armis-
tice was signed, and il was obvious
that both these weapons had hard hit
their country. However, one of the
most important concessions of the
whole agreement was then added
namely. that the allies would revictual
Germany.
Night fell on that fateful spot In
the Compegne forest and looking ort
of the train the fires of the bivouacs
of the sentries and guards could DE
seen twinkling merrily, while away in
the distance the boom of heavy guns
told of the bloody work which was still
continuing, after more than four fear
full years, and, except for written
paper of agreements, sent over by the
Germans, Saturday passed without any
visible program, awaiting the message
of the German government
1t was suggested that the allies
should occupy Helgoland, but the Ger
man delegates did not think that II
would be necessary.
Another question that arose was the
altering of the phrase involving the
surrender" of General Won Lettow
Verbeck to evacuation"
That evening a wireless message was
received from the German government
ordering the signing of the armistice,
but to add that Germany would be-
come a prey to bolshevism unless the
allies would undertake provisioning.
There was further long discussion,
far into the night, concerning Helgo-
land, as the French and British felt
that there must be something to fall
back upon. in case the Germans were
BILE 20 control their own men, the
majority of whom were almost entire
ly out of hand.
1t was finally decided to add an ex-
ira stipulation to the agreement, rec
ommending to the German government
that the allies occupy Helgoland IL
the government should be unable to
enforce It's commands. as If put In
stronger terms a long delay would be
occasioned through having to refer
the matter to Spa, should the allies in
sist on the occupation in any event.
At Q m. on Monday, November IL,
ala the delegates on both sides as
sembled for a final conference.
General Weygand read out the arm
lstIce agreement, article by article, and
as each was read out the French in
terpreter translated II into German
and discussion then proceeded until the
uNdl IOTtn OF the dTllCle was mutually
agreed upon. though, throughout, the
Germans kept insisting that the terms
were 60 harsh they would be difficult
Of fulfillment
However, all the articles were final
ly read and discussed, and then Herr
Erzberger stood up and read out
statement in German, stating that the
government would carry out the terms
as far as humanity possible.
e. q m a Ia fQe al Cd
the momentous document, Marshal Foch
being the first to sign. followed by the
British Admiral Wemyss.
Orders we're Immediately issued, all
over the world, for hostilites on land.
at sea and in the air TO cease at IL a.
m on that day. Monday, November IL.
1918. for a period of SO days, and II is
now a matter of history how this pc
Rod was later extended until the peace
of Versailles of 1919.
Thus ended the most important his
torcal event of all time.