ARMISTICE

Taranaki Daily News, 21 March 1919, Page 5

ARMISTICE

BRITISH VIEW ADOPTED. GREAT STEP TOWARDS PEACE. Paris, Feb. 14. After some serious moments, during which Marshal Foch's resignation once seemed assured, the council has reached an agreement regarding t'he armistice, which seems thoroughly to satisfy everybody. Foch himself'lias expressed his complete satisfaction. The terms actually settle some of the most important peace questions, depriving the enemy of any opportunity of using blackmail tactics when the treaty comes to be signed. The others will then present their terms as demands, and the alternative will be war, but it will be understood that immediate public compliance will be followed by the Allies permitting the importation of large quantities of food and raw material. The Times states that the French and Americans adopted the British view as the best solution of bringing to a head the military difficulties, and as going a long way towards a definite and practical peace and the realisation of the ideal of the League of Nations. The discussion has been extremely fruitful, showing that the extreme alarm of the French as to American opinion is unfounded, while the British attitude proved that, while they are extremely anxious to maintain friendship with America, they are imbued with a sense of their continental responsibilities and alliances, and are thus able to act as a syphon between the new and old worlds. Surprise is expressed that the disbandment of the Germans was not included in the original armistice. This was partly due to a desire to prevent wholesale Bolshevism by scattering hundreds of thousands of workle9s soldiers over the country, but provision could have been made for the Allies to retain the right to order disbandment.

However, an agreement has been reached which is authoritatively described as a great step towards a general and stable peace. The British view has been accepted, and the new armistice will provide for a reduction of all forces and armaments. It includes new military, naval, and aerial terms, which Marshal Foch's legal draftsmen are putting into final shape. Admiral Wernyss's statement to the council was striking, showing a clear, strong brain, knowing what it wants. He demanded the earliest possible peace, based on a complete German defeat, with disarmament, the freedom of the Kiel Canal and other strong terms.