THE ARMISTICE MEETING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17502, 19 December 1918, Page 5

THE ARMISTICE MEETING

DESCRIBED BY A GERMAN DIiLHJATE. '

(Melbourne- Herald Cable.)

AJuSiiiXUJAiVi, Decxanbor 5.

A graphic report oi au interview with, a Gorman armistice cieiegawj, puolisiied in die vossisciie iieituug, uo-aji-ifces tn.e IU-hour motor drive.

The delegate says that when they reached the Frencn lines toward the Compiegne Forest, accompanied by French oliicers, the drivo was deliberately niacin circuitous in order to, traveiso tne worst devastated area. When passing a lieap o£ ruins a i'VencJa oilicer eloquently pointed his ringer and said, without moving u niusulo of his face: " Voila St. Quentin." . A train, with a dining car and sleeping euloon, met the party in tho evening, and travelled with drawn blinds. It stopped in tho morning in. the Forest of Compiegne. Alongside stood a second train occupied by Marshal Foch, and his staff.

Tho commissions lived and worked in the trains for three days. The Germans had no fault to find with tho arrangements, livcrything was provided for their comfort, and tho food was ample. The manner of the presentation of tho Germans to Marshal Fooh was cool. Foch is described as ill-mannered and rough, but a stern, plain man. He received the Germans in a big saloon filled with map-covered tables. Everyone spoke bis own language through interpreters, and the reading of tho armistice terms lasted two hours. Marshal Foch twice left for Paris.

The Germans were handed tho Sunday nowspapei-s announcing tho abdication of the Kaiser, a delegate remarking-: "It jg no small triumph, but we hold divided feelings regarding our enemies."