Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-11-11

"all faces beamed, respondent with joy
and PRIDE" and while waiting for the
arrival of the delegation, the battalion
INDUCED in very restrained, but deeply
felt celebration of its satisfaction at the
most welcome tidings.
When the cars stopped at the order
of the young captain, Gen. Won Winter
feldt got out of his and advanced to
the head of the line He was in full
uniform and wore all his decorations,
including his cross of Commander of
the Legion of Honor, Maj. Ducornez
| advanced and Saluted. Gen. Won Win
| terfeldt introduced himself and con-
tinued in excellent French" belong to
the German mission. I must apologize
| for being late, the condition of the roads
is the cause. Permit me to present to
| you the persons who accompany me-"
Gen. Debeney had sent Majs. Bour-
bon Busset and Fretay of the staff of
the 31st Corps, and Capts. Pihier and
| Taboureau to receive the German dele
gates. These were waiting their ar
rival in front of the Villa Paques, at
the southern end of La Capelle. on the
HirSon road. Gen. Won Winterfeldt,
after the German mission had alighted,
presented its members by name. Maj.
Ducornez performing the same formal
ity for the members of the French
escort.
4 r 9 in the morning, Marshal Foch
sent word to the German dele
gates that he would be ready to receive
them at 10 o'clock. Promptly at this
hour Erzberger, in an ordinary bust
ness suit, rather the worse for its long
journey from Berlin, leading, followed
by the three officers in uniform,
entered the salon carriage, where a
long table with four chairs on each
side, had been installed for the meet
ing
After the introductions were COM
pleted Erzberger handed over his full
powers, which authorized him ito con-
clude the armistice, subject to the ap-
proval of the chancellor" to the mar
shall. who withdrew with his compan-
ions to another compartment of the
carriage to examine the papers.
On the marshal's return he said in
French: what brings these gentle
men here? What do you wish of me?"
Erzberger replied: THAT 1 expect
proposals for an armistice on sea, on
land in the air and on all the fronts"
The marshal'S categorical answer was:
Il have no proposals to make. If you
have any request to make to me, do So"
Erzberger then said: We have
come conformably to President Will
sons last note" which he ordered
read in English by Count Oberndorff, ,
then adding that he requested that
such proposals be communicated to u.s."
The marshal said: do you ask for
an armistice?"
I'VE do" replied Erzberger.
Foch retorted: Il will acquaint YOU
with the conditions on which the |
allied governments will consent to |
grant you an armistice," and turning
to Gen. Weygard he ordered him to |
read the French text of the terms of |
the armistice.
Erzberger requested temporary sus-
pension of hostilities during the period |
fixed for the decision on the armistice. |
He was refused, but reiterated his |
request, saying: Marshal. do not wait |
these " hours-stop the hostilities |
today. Our armies are the prey of |
anarchy, bolshevism menaces them. |
This bolshevism may overrun Ger
many. spread throughout Central |
Europe and even threaten France |
itSelf!'
Foch was unmoved. and replied: II
40 not know the condition of your |
armies, ] only know the situation of |
mine. Not only I cannot stop the
offensive, but 1 will give the order to !,
push 1t with redoubled energy" The |
marshal added that in all these ques-
tlons he was bound by agreements with |
allied general stats and the govern
ments. and declared that there could /
be no negotiations on the conditions.