THE ARMISTICE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17948, 15 November 1918, Page 5

THE ARMISTICE.

SURRENDER ABE ANGEMENTS. ; . LONDON, November 12. A wireless French official message informs the German General Headquarters that Major Sisteron, of the Allied General Headquarters, accompanied by three officers, is proceeding to Spa today. .DR SOLE'S APPEAL. TO SAVE MILLIONS FROM STARVATION. A. and N.Z. Cable Association and Ecutei. LONDON, November 12. Dr Solf, in a message to Mr Lansing, says the Government has received the conditions of the armistice. After a blockade of fifty months, those conditions, especially the surrender of. the moans of transport and the sustenance of the troops of occupation, would make it. impossible to provide Germany with food, and cause the starvation of millions of men, women and children. "As the blockade must continue, Dr Solf says, "we had to accept the con, ditions, but at this fateful hour we again address ourselves to the President with a request that he use bis influence with the Allied Powers in order to mitigate these fearful conditions. GERMAN CONDITIONS. OPINION IN AMERICA. NEW YORK, November 13. The "New York Times" Washington correspondent states:—Direct reports of the conditions in Germany from the Nauen wireless station have been suspended, and Washington officials are convinced that great distress prevails there from a careful reading of Dr Solf s dispatch pointing out the very serious nature of the conditions in GerVnany, and asking, aid. It is as much an argument for modification of the aMstico terms as an appeal for.food. Dr Solf, in effect, pleads for permission to retain the shipping which Germany must surrender in accordance with the terms of the armistice. What action the President will take regarding the appeal is not disclosed. While the blockade against Germany and Aus-tria-Hungary will not be raised until after the armistice period t it is believed that the armistice may be modified in order to permit the transportation of foodstuffs to the Central nations. South American markets are expected to be called upon to supply grain and other produce, supplementing what the United States willbe able to spare for the relief of the situation. FRIENDLY HELPFULNESS. * MR WILSON'S COUNSEL. WASHINGTON, November 12. President Wilson, addressing Congress, said:-f"By the use of the idle tonnage, of the Central Powers it ought presently to be possible to lift the fear of utter misery from the minds of oppressed populations, and set their minds and energies free for the great tasks' of political reconstruction facing them. With revolution abroad it is a matter of no small anxiety with what authority we deal, and with what assurance that authority will abide and sustain securely the international arrangements into which we are about to enter. We must be patient and helpful, and mindful, above all, of the great hop© and confidence that will be at the heart of what is taking place." He was confident that the nations which had learned the discipline of freedom were now about to make the conquest of the world by the sheer power of example and friendly helpfulness to peoples who had just come out from under the yoke of an arbitrary Government. "We must hold the light steady till they find themselves. In the meantime, if possible, we must establish a peace that will justify and define their place among the nations, and remove all fear of their neighbours and of their former masters, and enr able them to live in security and contentment when they have set their own affairs in order." » AID PROMISED. ORGANISATION OP RELIEF. WASHINGTON, November 13. The State Department has received i Notes from Bavaria and Austria asking j for food. i Mr Wilson sent a reply to Germany j promising to aid in relieving want and furnishing food. The President announces that steps will be taken immediately to organise relief in the same svstematic manner as was carried out in Belgium, conditional on publio order being maintained in Germany, and the equitable distribution of food clearly guaranteed. ARMISTICE TERMS. ADDITIONAL DAY ALLOWED FOR EVACUATION. LONDON, November 13. A French official wireless message states: —The Allied High Commandant grants an additional day to the fortnignt allowed for the evacuation of Belgium, Luxemburg and Alsace-Lor-raine. He announces that otherwise the terms of the armistice cannot at present be modified. THE EVACUATION. ARRANGEMENT OF DETAILS. LONDON, November 13. British officers have gone to Spa to arrange details of the evacuation. It ;

is understood that the Allied troops will remain stationary until Sunday before they advance into evacuated territory. General Mangin's army wiU occupy Strassbufg. A. *ad SO. Cable Association and Renter. (Received November 15, 12.30 a.m.). LONDON, November IS. A French official wireless message in« fofms Germany that the only permissible negotiations between the armies: are those dealing with timed mines and other hurtful contrivances. The permanent international armistice committee shortly meeting at Spa, will deal with all other questions regarding which the Allied armies are forbidden to engage in pourparlers. .. NO CONFIRMATION. WASHINGTON, November 13. The State Department is unable to secure any confirmation of the reports that the Crown Prince has been shot. It is believed that he reached Holland. THE HUNS' DEBACLE. A FRENCH VIEW. LONDON, November 12.' A French communique, announcing the conclusion of the armistice, emphasises the fact that the four months' oecisiEa-joSetrstVe, ~. have driven back, beaten and thrown out , of France the powerful German .Army ! and forced it to sue for peace. ENTHUSIASM IN PARIS. Iteutor'a Tolegrami. PARIS, November li There was great enthusiasm on thasigning of the armistice. A huge procession passed through the streets, bells were rung and salvoes fired. The city was beflagged and illuminated at night. AUSTRALIAN REJOICINGS ENTHUSIASTIC SCENES. SYDNEY, November 14. Reports from all parts of the Commonwealth show that the intensity ofthe armistice rejoicings was' unprecedented. There were impressive scenes of enthusiasm in the various Parliaments, in adopting loyal and congratulatory addresses. • WAR RISKS.* REDUCTION ANNOUNCED. LONDON, November 12. Tin Government war nisk insurance has been reduced to half a crown all round, except the North Sea risk, which is ss. '../ ; vy THE PRISONERS. GERMAN ANNOUNCEMENT. . > A. and N.Z. Cable Aesooiation and B«uUJ. LONDON, November 13. A German official wireless message states: —The Provisional Government's Executive Committee has decided that prisoners of war shall remain in their places of employment, bo obliged to , work as heretofore, and receive the same wages as free German workers. It is presumed that these are temporary measures pending the repatriation of prisoners. '_.'..'; BELGIUM'S DEMAND. COMPLETE FREEDOM FROM FOREIGN CONTROL. NEW YORK, November 1& The Washington correspondent of th« "New York Times" reports that the Belgian Legation has issued a statement that Belgium no longer is willing to submit to the status "quo of guaranteed neutrality like that existing before the war. Complete freedom would; relieve Belgium of foreign control and' enable her to make arrangements for her own defence. Belgium must be allowed freedom to determine her own destiny. She must be free to adopt her own volition a policy which will keep her out,,of great international competitions and permit her to take the necessary measures to defeat hostile designs against her in the event of new danger threatening.