Show by ELMO SCOTT WATSON washington monday novem her 11 2 48 a m the armistice between germany on one hand and the allied governments and the united states on the other bas been signed the state department announced at 2 45 0 clock this morning that germany bad signed abe departments announcement at a 45 0 clock simply said the armistice has been signed the world war will end morning at six 0 clock washington time eleven 0 clock paris time the armistice was signed by the german representatives at midnight this announcement was made by the state department at 2 50 0 clock this morning the announcement was made verbally by an official of the state department in this form the armistice has been signed it was signed at five 0 clock a m paris time midnight eastern time and hostilities will cease at eleven 0 clock this morning paris time six eastern time the terms ot the armistice will not be made public until later 7 read the official story sent out by the assoil abed press which told of the end of the greatest war in all history does it bring back to sou that breathless hour one november morning ten ears ago when whistles deacan 10 blow bells were rung firearms barbed and a de illium of joy swept over the vi hole world in france there was raised a mighty shout of 1 I a guerre est 1 across to england and america that cry swept to be transformed into the war Is overl the war Is and there followed the most unrestrained spectacular celebration ever recorded but although the scenes on that day are unforgettable to anyone who took part in the mad riot of rejoicing how ho w many of us have now ten years after any idea of the scene where took pace the momentous bent which released all that pandemonium of rejoicing to how many of u floes the mine of the little station of rethondes Reth ondes in the forest of mean anything more than just anoche town in france yet it was here that the armistice was and on this tenth of that historic event the following account talen from official sources of the meeting of the men action ended alie world war should have particular interest the acene was laid in the of the forest of where mar ahal foch s train drew up opposite tome old heavy gun sidings at seven 0 clock on the night of thursday no vember 7 1918 with marshal foch was general his chief ot start some staff officers and british representatives the latter headed by admiral sir rosslyn wemyss on another set of rails about a hundred yard away was another alm liar train and on the arrival of the german delegates in the early hour ot friday morning after their adventurous journey in automobiles the fighting front they were accommodated in this train As soon as the german delegates arrived a message was sent them to say that marshal foch would be ready to receive then at 9 a m the same day friday november 8 and exactly on time in single alle kierr erzberger general von whose father was present at the peace of versailles in 1871 and captain von vanselow leading followed by count made their appearance and in addition there were two officer interpreters all of the delegates appeared ver downcast and at ease and as soon as they had entered the car fitted for the conference general reported to marshal foch who immell abely entered together with the representatives THE PLACE WHERE THE TICE WAS SIGNED in the foreground Is the memorial stone at rethondes Reth ondes france marking the exact spot where stood the rail road car in which marshal foch and his staff received the german pledl potent laries and in which the arms tice ending the world war was signed at the left in the picture Is the build ing in which that car Is now housed it was built with funds given by an american arthur H fleming of pasa dena calif to provide perpetual shelter for the car and to serve as a museum of the armistice in calm even tonea marshal poca asked the germans what is the object of your visit herr erzberger replied we have come to hear proposals for an armistice on land sea in the air and in the colonies I 1 have no proposals to make answered marshal foch count then pulled a paper from his pocket and read a statement made by president allson concerning the famous fourteen points when he bad finished marshal foch sald that if they desired an the terms would be read and the german delegates having stated that they wished hostilities to cease general read out each article the french interpreter repeating them in german what a dramatic picture this made perhaps can be imagined herr erzberger the son of a postman with his very full face large double chin and irregular mustache count who bad served all his time in the diplomatic service Se von winterfeld the representative of prussian militarism though not aggressively mannered and captain von vanselow a naval officer who although in uniform looked more like a merchant these together with their two interpreters terp reters formed one group and the french and british officers in their contrasting uniforms with firm and calm countenances knowing they held the upper band opposite As soon as the reading of the terms was completed the germans looking very dejected asked permission to corn with their government ow mg to the fact that the germans had not brought any cipher marshal foch refused to allow wireless to b bied and ane terms thus made public properly before perusal and consideration and so captain on Hell dort wag dai patched to german it spa with a copy general von winterfeld then aided that hostilities might cease abely so as to avoid useless blood shed and speaking in french h actually referred to the route la d route the actual word used of th german army marshal foch however would not agree to giving the enemy any breath ing space that might allow them to reorganize and he stated 1 that fighting should not cease until he terms read out had been accepted and signed independent discussions were continued during the afternoon in ati conference car by the various german delegates the chief matters becea barlly being of a naval and military nature and during these talks the tear ful economic condition of germany was laid bare besides foodstuffs necessary matr rial for naval and military equipment was in sucha short supply that th country was very literally at it la gasp another complaint of the germini was against both the blockade aal blacklist continuing after the armistice was signed and it was that both these weapon had hard hit their country however one of th most important concessions of th whole agreement was then added namely that the allies would germany night fell on that fateful pot 1 the forest and looking ait oit of the train the fires of the of the and guards could c seen twinkling merrily while away in I 1 he distance the boom of heavy ur told of the bloody work which continuing after more than tour fearful years and except tor a written paper of agreements sent over by tie germans saturday passed without any visible program awaiting the beai of the german government it was suggested that the alllen should occupy helgeland Hel goland but the ger man delegates did not think that it would bo necessary another question that arcs was tin altering of the phrase involving tn surrender of general von letter to evacuation that evening a wireless message WM received from the german government ordering the signing of the armistice but to add that germany would be come a prey to unless li allies would undertake provisioning there was further long discussion far into the night concerning hew land as tha french and british en that there must be something to hii back upon in case the germans were unable to control their own men tn majority of whom were almost entire ly out of hand it was finally decided to aid an ex tr stipulation to the agreement recommending om to the german government govern meni that the allies occupy helgeland Hel goland it the government should be unable w enforce its commands as it P stronger ft ronger terms a long delay would 0 occasioned through having to the matter to spa should the alllen lu alst on the occupation in any at 2 a m on monday november ia all the delegates on both side for a final conference general read out the arm istace agreement article by as each was read out the F ter preter translated it in toG and discussion then proceeded final form of the article was futua agreed upon though throughout lew germans kept insisting thatty were 0 o harsh they would b dask of fulfillment i however all the articles wr fl ly read and discussed and then n enberger Ln berger stood up and statement tn german stating government would carry out the t ac tar as humanly possible at 5 15 am all the delegate the momentous document ma in by being the first to sign followed british admiral wemyss H orders vere immediately issow over the world for hostilities on i at sea and in the air to m on that day monday november 3 1918 for a period of 36 dalti now a matter of history hoew nod was later extended until t r of versailles of 1919 nl thus ended the most bent of all time |