The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-11

4AAC NANAAASA WSAA1 tA0eA ASoV " 538,315 dead; 21,219,452 wounded; 7,750,919 missing and prisoners. The total casualties figure represented 57.7 per cent of the 65, ,-000, 900 men called to the colors by the nations of the world.
 Just before the dawn streaked over a clearing in the Compiegne Forest, 50 miles from Paris, four Germans, two Frenchmen and two Englishmen fixed their signatures to the document which was to end in 8 few hours the most disastrous war in history.
 Today, with France and England again at war with Germany, the railway dining car in the forest clearing where the Armistice was signed, is an historic shrine. A monument to mark 1t shows the figures of a crowning Gallic cock Victorious France-and battered, dead Eagle-vanquished Germany. The White Flag
 Even while the German plenipo- tentiaries, Count Won Oberndorf and Erzberger, were making their way across the lines to the Armistice site. the shells burst out in the icy dark ness. In accordance with instruc- tions from Marshal Foch, they were accompanied by. a white flag bearer and bugler. ,'tt,
 The meeting was a terse and frigid one. Foch, fianked by his chief of staff, General Maxim Wey- grand and Admiral Wemyss for the British, dominated the group. It was his day.
 With their allies gone, their armies routed and in flight, their southern front wide open, and their very government torn by a chaos of conflicting revolutionary movements, the Germans had but little choice. The final session in the pre-dawn hours of the 11th was climax of equalization and 8 climax of four days of humiliating concessions by Erzberger and his staff.
 But the tempo of that eventful day had been set in the first ses- sion at the railway siding on the 7th. Erzberger, high-strung, nerv- ous, entered the Marshal's car. Salutes were exchanged, creden- tials examined.
 Foch Adamant
 Foch, his demeanor formal and icy as the winter wind that howled outside, waited stiffly. His mind doubtless crowded with the horrors of four years of war, the devasta- tion of northern France, he waited minute and then spoke:
 What is the object of your visit?"
 We have come," Erzberger spoke slowly, Ito receive the propositions of the Allied powers relative to the conclusion of an armistice on sea, land and in the air, on all fronts and in all colonies"
 T have no propositions to make to you," said Foch. Won Oberndorf interrupted:
 We desire to find out what are the conditions under which the Allies would consent to an armis- tice."
 The Word Was "Ja"
 Foch was rnmoved.
 "I have no conditions to make" :"
 Nevertheless, President Wilson :" Erzberger got no further.
 q am here to listen to you if you are asking for an armistice, ,'' Foch spoke sharply but the stress on asking was not lost. Are you asking for an armistice? If you are asking it, I can let you know the conditions under which the Allies would consent"
 The Germans chorused the sin- gle word:
 "Ja."
 Terms of the Peace Then began the days of details, the precise definitions and elabora- tions of the terms: the continued Allied blockade, the internment of the German Navy, the occupation of the east bank of the Rhine, the evacuation of German colonies. the surrender of vast quantities of arms and munitions and supplies.
 The final session lasted from 2 e. m. until s a. m. A few minutes later. the signatures were afiixed and then the trembling Erzberger arose and pronounced his formal futile protest n ma fe. nA AfaA AnuYsAa