Untitled

Taranaki Daily News, 27 January 1919, Page 5

"Who are you, Gentlemen?" They were up betimes on Friday morning, and they left the chateau for Rethmondes Station, on the Compeigne-Sois-sons line, in the heart of the Forest of Compeigne, the place, fixed for the meeting with Marshal Foch. At some distance from the station Marshal Foeh'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 R. Wemyss were standing. Herr Erzberger, wearing a Trolean hat, was at the head of the envoys. Marshal Foch's first question was, "Who are you, gentlemen?" 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, coffee, chocoia\<i, and milk was Served. When the envoys returned to the saloon, Herr ETzberger thus opened the conversation: "Marshal," he eoid, "at the start wc ought to inforjn you that we 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 foreseen, for in the 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 tho clauses fixed by the Entente Powers." In a clear voico Marshal Foch read out the conditions. The plenipotentiaries listened in silence without manifesting the least feeling. The document was then handed to Herr ETzberger, who was informed that a delay of 72 hours in which to study it in detail would be allowed. 5 The delegates asked to be permitted to confer among themselvos, and returned to the Chateau of Fxaneport for that purpose. They discussed the conditions for an hour, and then Herr Erzberger asked an officer of the French General Staff to demand Marshal Foch's permission to send a courier with a copy of the armistie conditions to the German Main Headquarters at Spa, where the Kaiser and Chancellor were assembled. Marshal Foch acquiesced. Herr Ereberger's request was transmitted by wireless telegraphy from the Eiffel Towel to Spa. It was in French. After being delayed on his journey the courier eventually reached Spa, to return with a full acceptance of the Allied demands