WHEN GERMANY LEARNED THE TRUTH.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 June 1919, Page 12

WHEN GERMANY LEARNED THE TRUTH.

>.— » ffiNDENBURG'S COMMAND TO SURRENDER. . TRAGIC MEETING OF LEADERS. "What follows is a lutlicrto unwritten chapter in the history of Germany's defeat and ultimate collapse, says the Rotterdam correspondent of the Daily Chronicle. It will te remembered that in his speech of defence in the National Assembly, Erznerger stated that on November 10 a telegram was received from the* Great Headquarters telling the German Armistice Commission that, whilst seeking amelioration, they must in any event assent to whatever conditions Marshal Poch wished to impose—in effect, that Germany must surrender on terms. What Erzberger did not say— and what lias up to now not been publicly disclosed —is that Hindenburg gave practically the same dread command—and in peremptory form—as long previously as September 28. DRAMATIC GATHERING. In the early morning hours of that day six members of the Reichstag each received a Government telegram dispatched in the course of the previous night. This,' telegram instructed them to appear at 9 o'clock the same morning at the Home Ministry in order to Teceivc | a confidential communication, from the Government. I At the appointed hour there were present in the waiting-room of the Home Ministry Count Westarp (of the Conservatives), Stresemann (National Liberals), Groeber (Centrum), Ebert (Majority Socialists), and Haate (Independents). All were equally and greatly surprised at finding themselves in such an exclusive assembly of party leaders.'.

Into tiie room laden with this atmosphere of suspense there came, one of tho State Secretaries, who, after an embarrassed paiif.e, exclaimed, "It is terrible!" Although none knew exactly what the words implied, one of tho party leaders said: "But it had to come, and could only be a question of time." "What do you mean?" asked the secretary. "Why,".was the reply, "the defection of Austria." "If it were only that!" said the secretary, and, sighing, left the room. SIX TERRIFIED MEN. •lust afterwards the sis now terrified men were summoned into his private room by von Payor, the Vice-Chancellor. They seated themselves around the table, and then the Vice-Chancellor, with an expression of deathly seriou.-.nesp, and in sombre, almost solemn-sounding tones, said: "Gentlemen, I have an extremely painful communication to make to you. The Army Command last evening informed the Government by telephone that it has come to the conviction that the war can no longer be won, and that we mus.t as speedily as possible—in fact, without the least delay—ask for an armistice." The effect of these words was crushing. One of the leaders then remarked, faintly: "Then Alsace-Lorraine is gone?" "Yes, it is; gone," affirmed tho ViceChancellor. "And probably Posen also?" queried another. "Also to that thought must we try to reconcile ourselves," answered von Payer.