*CHAPTER XXVI*
*THE CONFERENCE RESUMED*
The mayor of the village was there to greet the German envoys when theystepped from the airplane. He announced that they would be conducted atonce into the presence of Marshal Foch. He signified that Hal andChester were to accompany the party.
The lads saw, as the mayor led the way, that the conference was to beresumed in Marshal Foch's private car, which still stood on a side trackin the station yards.
Upon the platform of the car stood General Dupree. He greeted theGerman delegates stiffly.
"It is late," he said. "We had begun to fear perhaps you would notreturn. However, you are within the allotted time."
"We are later than we expected to be for unavoidable reasons, sir," saidGeneral Herwigs. "In fact, we came with difficulty."
He explained the trouble within his own lines, but for some reason hesaid nothing of the pursuit by the allied airplanes.
"I hope he forgets all about it," Hal murmured to himself. "It wasgross carelessness on my part, and I should get a wigging. However, ifhe says nothing about the matter, it's a sure thing I won't."
General Dupree now showed the delegates into the car. As before,Marshal Foch sat at his desk, immersed in a pile of papers. He lookedup as the delegates approached.
"Ah, gentlemen," he said, "pray, be seated."
He motioned the five men to seats at his table. Besides these, therewere also seated there three or four members of the marshal's staff.
"I trust you had a pleasant trip, gentlemen?" said Marshal Fochpolitely.
"Not so very pleasant, sir," said one of the envoys, and explained whathad befallen.
Marshal Foch expressed his condolences, then added:
"And now to business, gentlemen."
"We are ready to discuss terms, sir," said General Herwigs.
"Ah," said Marshal Foch, "but there shall be no discussion. I havestated my terms. It is for you to say whether Germany will accept."
"You have the terms in writing, Marshal?"
"I have, sir. They are here," and Marshal Foch extended a paper toGeneral Herwigs.
General Herwigs read the several sheets of foolscap carefully. Then,without a word, he passed them to his associates, who scanned themcarefully in turn. The paper was passed back to General Herwigs.
"They are very severe, sir," said General Herwigs.
"So they are," agreed Marshal Foch, "but under the circumstances I cando no better."
"But surely, sir," said General Herwigs, "you realize that they are moreharsh than have ever before been imposed upon an enemy by a civilizednation?"
"Perfectly," said Marshal Foch. "At the same time, sir, never has acivilized nation wrought such ruin on the world at large as has Germanyin the last four years. He who plays, must pay the fiddler, you know,sir."
"Is there no hope, sir," asked General Herwigs, "that the terms may bemodified?"
"None," said Marshal Foch briefly.
For the space of perhaps five minutes General Herwigs was silent. Thenhe said:
"You will grant me a few moments' private conversation with myassociates, sir?"
"As many as you choose," replied Marshal Foch.
The German delegates retired to the far end of the car, where theyconversed in low voices for perhaps ten minutes. Then they returned totheir seats.
"Since you insist upon these terms," said General Herwigs, "I want torecord formal protest against their severity."
"It shall be duly recorded, sir," said Marshal Foch gravely.
"And," continued General Herwigs, "as you refuse to modify them, thereis only one thing Germany can do."
There was an air of expectancy in the car. Hal felt his breath comingquickly. Chester's hands clenched and unclenched nervously.
At General Herwigs' last words, it seemed to both lads that he was aboutto defy Marshal Foch. Neither lad was able to place any otherconstruction on his words.
"And that is?" asked Marshal Foch, answering General Herwigs' laststatement.
"That is to accept the terms, sir!"
General Foch got to his feet and took a step forward.
"I am glad," he said simply. "There can be no one more glad than I thatpeace shall rest again upon earth after four years of war."
There was a subdued cheer from the allied officers in the car, but thesewere quickly suppressed.
"There remains, then," said Marshal Foch, "nothing now except the formalsigning of the terms, which accomplished, I shall order an armisticeeffective from 11 o'clock to-morrow morning."
General Herwigs bowed.
"I am ready to sign now."
"You have the authority to speak for the German people?" asked MarshalFoch.
"I have, sir. Since the formal abdication of the kaiser and the CrownPrince----"
There were exclamations of surprise from all parts of the car. EvenMarshal Foch seemed moved.
"The emperor has abdicated?" he questioned.
"Yes, sir, and the Crown Prince has declined to take the throne.Chancellor Ebert, now acting head of the government, has authorized meto sign the armistice terms in the name of the German people."
"It is well," said Marshal Foch.
The paper was spread out on the table. Once more General Herwigs read,as his associates grouped themselves about him.
"It is hard thus to sign away virtually the freedom of a mighty nation,"he said, "but there is no help for it."
He signed.
Then the other German delegates affixed their signatures as witnesses,and Marshal Foch wrote his name.
So the armistice was signed. While formal peace negotiations would notbe begun for perhaps months, the war was over so far as actual fightingwas concerned.
In signing Marshal Foch's terms, Germany virtually had signed away herrights to be classed as one of the great powers. Besides agreeing tosurrender the bulk of her arms and ammunitions, she had announced shewould give up her most effective weapon of warfare--the submarine--themajority of her undersea craft to be turned over to the allied navies ata specified time.
By the terms of the armistice, Germany agreed to withdraw her armiesfrom occupied territories to the east bank of the Rhine. It wasstipulated that mooted questions, such as the disposition of thecaptured German colonies and the amount of indemnity Germany would berequired to pay, would be left to the formal peace council of theallies. But, to make it absolutely certain that Germany would have toaccept the decisions of the peace council, Marshal Foch, in imposing hisstringent armistice terms, had tied the hands of the foe. Germany, oncethe terms of the armistice had been carried out, would have practicallynothing with which to fight should she desire to resume the struggle.
Marshal Foch, having pocketed the document, indicated that theconference was adjourned.
"There is no other business before us, I believe, gentlemen," he said,"so I shall detain you no longer. I have much work to do in the nexttwenty-four hours and I must get about it."
At the door to the car the German envoys saluted the Frenchcommander-in-chief before taking their departure. Marshal Foch returnedthe salute stiffly. Upon suggestion of General Dupree, Hal and Chesterwere to take the German envoys back to their own lines. Neither lad wasgreatly pleased with the task, but there was no use of protest. Thetrip was made in record time, but when Hal and Chester returned toHirson in the airplane, they found that Marshal Foch and his staff hadgone to Soissons.
"Did the commander-in-chief leave any instructions for us?" Hal asked ofthe mayor.
"None," was the reply.
"Then we must report to him in Soissons," declared Chester. "We may notreturn to our own command without his permission, Hal."
"Right you are, Chester. Well, as long as we have this plane at ourdisposal, we shall continue to Soissons in it, if our good mayor herehas no objections."
"None, sir," said the burgess of Hirson. "I am proud to be honored, a
sis every one of my fellow citizens. This has been a great event forHirson."
"And for the world," said Hal briefly.
"Very true, sir," replied the burgess; "and for the world. But theplane is yours, if you will have it. After 11 o'clock to-morrowmorning, we will have need of no such messenger of the air."
"Not for warlike purposes, at all events, I trust. Many thanks, Mr.Mayor. With your permission, we will be on our way at once."
The mayor bowed and insisted upon shaking hands with each. Then thelads repaired again to their machine and climbed in.
"Here's one trip we'll take without fear of danger," said Chester, asHal touched the controls.
"Right," Hal agreed. "By the way, the mayor made us a present of thisairplane. I've a good mind to keep it and take it back to America."
"Guess the French government would have something to say about that,"laughed Chester. "However, you can try it if you want to."
"No," returned Hal, "guess I'd better leave it here. I've had troubleenough in the last few years and every German is my enemy. I don't wantto make any more, particularly among our friends, the French."
The plane was now speeding through the air.
"Step on her, Hal!" cried Chester. "I want to get back to Soissons andthen to our own command. Remember, the armistice doesn't becomeeffective until 11 o'clock to-morrow morning. The fighting is not overyet. We may have a chance for a little more fun before it's all over."
"By Jove!" Hal ejaculated. "You're right. I hadn't thought of that."
The plane dashed forward faster than before.
The Boy Allies with Marshal Foch; or, The Closing Days of the Great World War Page 26