AN HISTORIC MEETING.

Taihape Daily Times, 8 January 1919, Page 6

AN HISTORIC MEETING.

POOH AND GERMAN CONVOYS

“WHO ARE YOU, GENTLEMEN?”

Full details of the journey of the German plenipotentiaries to the French lines show that it as at nine o'clock on Thursday evening when the delegates in three m°toi cais, arrived by the La Capel o >«£ wMch from live o'clock bad - lit up by powerful searchlights better to Licato * ** they had to be met. The care were preceded by German pioneers, who were engaged in repairing the road. It was at the request of the German Command that the French command tad fixed the itinerary to the French advanced posts, and orders had been given to cease fire on this part of the front. It was shortly after seven o’clock that the French advanced guards at Haudroy, about a mile and a-half north-west of La Capelle, on the right wing of General Debeney s army was reached. When the three motor cars arrived the officer advanced and verified the identity of the envoys, whose arrival had jbeen previously (notified (by a German major and two non-commis-sioned officers, who bore a very large ■white flag, while each wore a white armlet. Herr Erzbcrger, Count Oberndorff, General Grundcll and General von Selow presented their papers to the French officer in turn. These indicated the powers with which they had been invested.

Meanwhile a motor car in which •were five others of the French General Staff, had arrived. These officers had been charged with the duty of conducting the delegates to the place of meeting with Marshal Foch and Sir Rosslyn Wemyss. Yot another car from the French General Staff appeared, and a move was made in the direction, of the west. The German envoys arrived at Francport Chateau known as the Chateau des Bonhcommes, which belongs to the Marquis de I’Aigle. It is a fine mansion, standing a short distance from the Aisne, on the border of the Forest of Laigne, and quite near Choisy-au-Bar. In the park electric lamps had been lighted, and in front of the chateau orderly officers of Marshal Foch awaited the German party, who were courteously received.' Dinner bad been prepared for them, and after the meal they went to bed.

“WHO ARE YOU, GENTLEMEN?”

They were up betimes on Friday morning, and they left the chateau for Eethmondes Station, on the Com-piegnes-Soissons line, in the heart of the forest of Compicgnc, the place fixed for the meeting with Marshal Foch. At some distance from the station Marshal Foch’s special train had been drawn up, and a saloon had been arranged for the reception.” When the delegates entered the saloon Marshal Foch, General Weygand and Sir E. Wemyss were standing. VHerr -Erzberger, weaving, \ la Tyrolean hat, was at the bead of the envoys. Marshal Foch’s first question was: “Who are you, gentlemen 1 ?” Herr Erzberger replied: “We ■are the representatives of the German Government come to solicit an armistice.”' The German Minister of State then introduced his companions. The military members of the delegation saluted and the civilians bowed. An aide-de-camp of Marshal Foch then verified the credentials of the envoys ■who were afterwards! ’conducted to an adjoining compartment, where breakfast, of bread, butter, cocee, chocolate and milk was served. When the envoys returned to the sialoon. Herr Erzberger thus opened the conversation:

‘* “Marshal,” he said, “at the start we ought to inform you that wc have received from our Government a mission to demand from, now a suspension of hostilities.”

Marshal Foch immediately replied: “That, gentlemen, is impossible, • because in the armistice conditions that I am going to remit to you, -what you have suggested is foreseen, for in a clause it is decided that there -will not be a suspension of hostilities until the armistice is signed. I am now going to make known to you the clauses fixed by the Entente Powers" In a clear voice Marshal Foch read out the conditions. The plenipotentiaries listened in silence, without manifesting the least feeling. The document was then handed to Herr Erzberger, who was informed that a delay of seventy-two hours in which to study it in detail w-ould be allowed The delegates asked to be permitted to confer among themselves and returned to the Chateau of Francport for that purpose. They discussed the conditions for an hour, and then Erzberger asked an officer of the French General Staff to demand Marshal Itch's permission to send a courier with a copy cf the ai-mistice ■condition.' to 1»e German Main Headquarters at Gpa, There the Kaiser and Chancellor v,ere asr enabled. Marshal Eo.Vh acquiesced, Herr Erzberger ’a re-

qaoat was trr"in iud by wireless telegraphy froth the Eiffel Tower to Spi. It was in f'-ench. After oeiag i*-K> ciJ .-n his jo urn y the courier even l -ail} reached Sp *, to return vr.th a full acceptance of the Alli.-d mniKniis.

“Occasions, like clouds, soon pass away. ’ ’ —Arabian Proverb.

But coughs and colds are ‘stickers’ —and unless a recognised specific such, as Baxter’s Lung Preserver is taken to shift them, they arc going to stay and cause trouble. Treat coughs and colds as they should be treated—not as guests but as eneuiies. Have “Baxter’s” by you always. It is the sure protection’of the whole family. Baxters has been New Zealand’s friend for 23 years, so you can rely on it. Get a big 2/(5, bottle to-day. Chemist or Store. 2