A HISTORIC MEETING.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 January 1919, Page 5

A HISTORIC MEETING.

FOCH AND GERMAN ENVOYS. Full details of the journey of the German plenipotentiaries to the French lines ahow that it was at nine o'clock on Thursday evening when the delegates, in three motor care, arrived by the La Capello road, which from five o'clock had been lit up by powerful searchlights the better to indicate the spot where they had to be met. The cars 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 had 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 been previously notified by a German major and two non-commissioned officers, who bore a very large white flag, while each wore a white armlet. Herr Erzberger, Count OberndoriT, General Grundell, and General von Selow presented their papers to the French officers in turn. These indicated the powers with which they had been invested.

Meanwhile a motor car in which were five officers 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. Yet another car from the French General Staff appeared, and a move was made in the direction of the west. The German envoys arrived at Franoport Chateau, known as the Chateau des Bonhommes, which belongs to the Marquis de l'Aigle. It is a fine mansion, standing a short distr.nce from the Aisne, on the border of the Forest of Laigue, and in front of the chateau orderly officers of Marshal Foch awaited the German party, who were courteously received. Dinner had been prepared for them, and after the meal they went to bed.