The New York Times/1918/11/11/Armistice Courier Was Much Delayed
Armistice Courier Was Much Delayed.
LONDON, Nov. 10, (British Wireless Service.)—The German courier bearing the text of the armistice conditions arrived at German headquarters at 10 o'clock this morning, according to the official announcement from Paris. The courier, Captain Helldorf, was long delayed while the German batteries persisted in bombarding the route he had to follow.
On Saturday morning the German delegates suggested that the courier's mission might be attempted by airplane. The French High Command saw no objection to this and offered to furnish a machine on condition that the German High Command pledge itself that the airplane would not be fired at. A rapid message was sent to German headquarters, which was replied to without delay as follows:
"We grant free passage to the French airplane bringing our courier. We are issuing orders that it shall not be attacked by any of our machines. For the purpose of recognition it should carry two white flags very clearly marked."
The orders from the German headquarters staff, however, were inoperative as regarded the land batteries, for on La Capelle road the enemy's fire, despite reiterated requests to desist, went on without intermission.
A French airplane, piloted by an officer of the French Air Service, was soon available, and the pilot was ordered to hold himself ready to start on his journey. About that time a message came from General Headquarters, announcing that orders for the cessation of fire had been given to the batteries directed against La Capelle Road, and that Captain Helldorf was at liberty to start by automobile. Almost immediately the German fire ceased, and the courier set out on the road for Spa at 3:20 o'clock in the afternoon.
German headquarters was notified of his departure, and informed that he might be expected to arrive in the evening. But the road was long and hard, and many delays occurred.
PARIS, Nov. 10.—"It is possible," says the Temps, after recording the delayed arrival of the German courier at Spa with the armistice conditions, "that, owing to this delay, due to material circumstances, the seventy-two hours' grace may be prolonged. Such prolongation may be necessary through the events which are occupying Germany."
BERLIN, Nov. 10. (By Wireless to London, 3:50 P.M.)—The arrival of the armistice conditions in Berlin is expected hourly.
LONDON, Nov. 9.—The German armistice terms, The Daily Express says it understands, are even more stringent than those forecast on Oct. 31. Germany will be absolutely deprived, the newspaper adds, of further military power or action on land and sea and in the air.
The British War Cabinet sat late tonight, Premier Lloyd George having returned purposely from the country.
Mr. Balfour, the Foreign Minister, had an audience today with the King, who, on account of the armistice situation, has postponed his projected tour of the provinces.
A message from the German Commissaries to the German High Command, transmitted by the French Government wireless, says:
"We acknowledge receipt of two radios announcing the arrival of the four Commissaries (delegates?) and their probably delay for some hours."