MAP SHOWING RUSSIAN MILITARY SITUATION IN DECEMBER, 1918. To the north (No. 1) the bolsheviki were opposing American and allied forces coming south from Archangel along the Dvina river. To the east (No. 2) they had defeated the Czecho-Slovak troops after the latter on their westward march had reached the Volga and Kama rivers and taken the towns of Simbirsk The crowds had collected there and hastily improvised platforms were erected for the first lord and the board of admiralty. Sir Eric Geddes called for three cheers for ViceAdmiral Beatty (commander of the grand fleet), and these having been given with great fervor, the crowds again asked for a speech, but the cheering drowned all else. The first and Samara. To the south (No. 3) they were fighting the Cossacks on the Don river and in the Astrakhan district. The British (No. 4) were establishing bases at the points shown. (No. 5) Kiev, capital of the Ukrainian republic. lord called for cheers for the British bluejackets. A special service of prayer was held at St. Paul's in the afternoon, the lord mayor and sheriffs attending. Bands and the pipers of the Scots guards paraded through Whitehall, playing martial and patriotic airs. They were accompanied by singing crowds who time and again sang the national anthem. In the United States. President Wilson issued the formal proclamation on Monday morning. Nov. 11, 1918: "My Fellow Countrymen: The armistice was signed this morning. Everything for which America fought has been accomplished. It will now be our fortunate duty to assist by example, by sober, friendly counsel, and by material aid in the establishment of just democracy throughout the world. "WOODROW WILSON." Secretary of State Lansing issued the following statement: "The American people can rejoice that their patriotism, their loyalty and their splendid spirit of service and sacrifice have been rewarded. Prussian militarism is ended; it no longer menaces liberty and justice. But before us lie new tasks and new burdens, which we must assume with the same unity of purpose, the same devotion and zeal, as have characterized the republic during this great war. Let us while we celebrate this day of victory look forward to the future, conscious of our supreme duty to humanity and confldent in the united will of the nation.' PEACE CELEBRATION NOV. 11, 1918. There were two great peace celebrations over the signing of the armistice terms which virtually ended the world war. One of these, started by an erroneous report sent out from an American source in France on Thursday, Nov. 7, continued all day in the principal cities of the United States. The real celebration, however, began early on the morning of Nov. 11, when the fact that the armistice had been signed was made known through authentic and official channels. On that day the people in all the allied countries gave themselves over to unrestrained manifestations of their joy. Stores and factories were closed, and for twenty hours or more the people surged through the streets shouting and singing while whistles were blowing and church bells ringing. The scenes witnessed in Chicago were typical of those in all the large cities of the world where the sympathy of the people was with the allies and the United States. They were thus described in The Chicago Daily News: "Chicago turned topsy-turvy to-day. "From one end of the city to another everything was turmoil. Its millions of citizens gave themselves without bounds to the delirium of joy the news of the war's grand finale had evoked in them. Pandemonium was in the saddle wherever the citizens congregated. "And the whole thing, as a score or more funeral corteges seemed to indicate, was a tribute or what would you call it?-to Former Kaiser William. It was Chicago's way of joyously mourning the German emperor. Moreover, it was a part of the world's expression of its emotions at the downfall of the Hohenzollerns. "Thursday's premature outburst of feeling paled into insignificance against to-day's demonstration of the popular feeling, not to mention the altogether tame and really innocent New Year's celebration that heretofore held the records for noisiness in Chicago. "There was no semblance to order in the mass of pushing, howling, yelling, cheering, laughing humanity that packed Clark, State and LaSalle streets, Michigan boulevard and the crosstown thoroughfares from as early as 3 o'clock in the morning. And what feeble attempts were made on the part of the police to re-establish order were nonchalantly and persistently overlooked by the public. "What did this happy crowd care whether the street cars were delayed or automobiles could not get through? What if a few plate glass windows were smashed by the great push? The one big idea in the public mind was that the war was over and nothing else mattered. "As on Thursday, so to-day, the streets were showered with makeshift confetti and ticker tape. The carnival-New Year's-election day spirit of Thursday again found its expression in the sudden appearance of all manner of noisemaking devices. from paper horns to rattles. "And, the motormen on the street cars, and 'L' trains again did themselves proud clanging bells and blowing the sirens. The stunt of making a very efficient noise-producing instrument out of an automobile cutout was repeated. "Scores and scores of street parades were organized in a jiffy, and bands to lead them were gathered with surprising rapidity. "But to-day's celebration may be compared to Thursday's only because Thursday's was the noisiest. most jubilant day in the annals of Chicago-up to to-day, To-day's bedlam was Thursday's, only ten times more noisy and impressive. "Every loop building, store and factory poured its little city of men and women into the streets. Nobody felt like working, and the employers appreciated this. During the world," State and Madison streets, was busier early morning hours the busiest corner in the than on the busiest Christmas shopping day on record. And at noon to-day it would have been impossible for a snake to wind its way through that maelstrom of humanity that had come to a dead stop and roared and vociferated and shouted into one another's ears. "There was one cortege that was impressive. It consisted of a solemn faced band playing Chopin's dead march, a black hearse bearing a black casket, on which was inscribed, "The Kaiser's Coffin - He's Going Where He Belongs.' and a long procession of mourners with black bands around their hats. "Ever and anon the procession would stop. and somebody would emit a nerve shattering howl and turn a somersault amid frantic applause. And then the procession would continue. "All morning, almost from 1:55 o'clock, the momentous minute when Chicago received the news of Germany's surrender, steam whistles all over added to the general noise. Passenger steamboats anchored at the mouth of the Chicago river joined in the chorus with the shrill, ear-splitting screech of their distress sirens. Near the federal building a big church bell joyously clanged. "The news of the surrender, as on Thursday, brought to the loop thousands upon thousands of housewives, school children and factory workers. They packed every 'L' and suburban train and street car. Many had not even taken the time to change from their working clothes into street clothes, and among the throngs in the streets were many factory girls in overettes. housewives in huge aprons and men in overalls. "But despite the vast crowds, to-day's cele bration was largely a celebration by individuals. Many a man held a parade all by himself, either strutting about with a flag over his shoulder and gesticulating more or less wildly or earnestly pounding a big washtub or kettle. "Toward noon the crowds and the noise increased. Babel at its worst could not have been worse than Chicago was to-day. so far as the incoherent tumult is concerned. "Needless to say, the celebration became a little bit 'wet' as the day advanced. Many a man mixed liquor with jubilation, and the result was hilarious. But the good natured public closed one eye and even both eyes when it became necessary. On the whole, there were few unpleasant outbursts. "The general jubilation spread even to the county jail, where several thousand prisoners sang in chorus. And if one believes the guards. it was some chorus! All attempts to stop it failed. "The first of the city's parades formed at Madison and State streets shortly after 2 o'clock in the morning. Night workers abandoned their posts. hotel guests fell in line and soldiers and sailors in Chicago on leave and waiting for trains to take them back to their cantonments swelled the procession. Every conceivable sort of noise making device, dishpans, horns, revolvers, whistles, the whole category of ear splitting paraphernalia appeared as by magic. "Soon several hundred people were in line. A young man in army uniform with a corporal's stripes was the leader of the first procession, but soon he had scores of rivals and by 4 o'clock there were half a dozen independent parades, zigzagging their way about the downtown districts. A band of celebrants commandeered a big express truck early in the morning and after loading it to capacity started on a tour of the loop. One of the first places passed was a Madison street moving picture house which had a display sign, "The Prussian Cur,' advertising a current production, and this was immediately seized and carried to the truck. "Chicago public schools were closed for the day by special order. Although many youngsters failed to report for studies, the majority came to their classrooms and participated in demonstrations in honor of the receipt of the world's biggest news announcement. ""This news is real and there will be no classes to-day,' said Mr. Loeb. 'I have dispatched an order to all principals of grammar and high schools closing the schools for the day.' "Impressive services were held at many of the schools before the children were sent home. At the Eugene Field and Franklin schools, as well as a number of others on the south and west sides, the children began a patriotic song session which was opened with the singing of The Star Spangled Banner."" IN OTHER CITIES. The following telegrams show how the news of the signing of the armistice was celebrated in other large cities in the United States: New York. New York, Nov. 11.-The celebration which took place in New York Thursday upon the premature report of an armistice was a pale rehearsal of what occurred to-day. The bona fide occasion justified the full powers of rejoicing which New York displayed. The first whistles blew a few minutes after 3 o'clock in the morning, and by 5 the city sat up in its millions of beds and thrilled with the consciousness that the dark days were ended, and that the most momentous day in the history of the world had dawned. By 6 o'clock the streets were clamorous with masculine cheers; by 7, the voices of women were added; by 8, men and women, excused for the day from their tasks, thronged the great arteries of the city, elate with the sense of relief from sorrow. Hour by hour the tumult increased. Fortunately it was a glorious day. The sky was an unclouded blue, the wind cool and rather strong, the sunlight pale but beautiful. Overhead an occasional airplane flew, silver white in the sun, but the noises of the aerial motors were drowned in the unceasing clamor and. bellow of the streets. To-night, eighteen hours after the glad tidings, celebrations, big and little, were going on in all quarters of New York city. Those in the foreign quarters were perhaps the most picturesque. Red fire burned everywhere, and every known device for making noise was at a premium. Tons of confetti sprinkled in the streets added a carnival note. The great thoroughfares were packed from building line to building line with ever-changing multitude. In Broadway, 5th avenue and the main cross streets vehicle Men in unitraffic was almost abandoned. forms of blue and khaki were caught up here and there and carried on the shoulders of the crowd. There was no attempt at formal celebration. That will come later. The outpouring into the streets was a mere continuation of the "victory parade" decreed by Mayor Hylan as a token of the city's thanksgiving. Boston. Boston, Mass., Nov. 11. New England threw off its traditional self-restraint to-day and celebrated the signing of the armistice from long before dawn until long after dark with more enthusiasm, noise and processions than ever marked its most glorious Independence day observances. While Gov. McCall in an official proclamation set aside to-morrow as "Victory day" for organized expression by the people of the state of their very deep pleasure over so momentous an event," citizens themselves, from corporation presidents to office boys, joined in a spontaneous cutburst of joy that resulted in the general closing for the day of industrial establishments, offices and schools. the Boston streets were jammed all day. There were more processions in a day than tramped its pavements in a year. St. Louis. ever St. Louis, Mo., Nov. 11.-St. Louis was waiting to start celebrating when The Associated Press flashed the word that the war was over, and, having started, it had not stopped late to-night. Kansas City. Kansas City, Mo.. Nov. 11.-A mammoth victory celebration at Convention hall here to-night marked the climax of a day replete with parades, jollification rallies and streets crowded with people who were armed with every sort of noisemaking device. Practically all business was suspended. Omaha. Omaha, Neb.. Nov. 11.-Never in the history of Omaha has she witnessed such a celebration as to-day's festivities have been. Since early morning the streets have been thronged with a cheering mob. At 1:35 o'clock this afternoon a parade started in which 50,000 persons marched. Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City, Utah, Nov. 11.-From the moment it became known that the armistice had been accepted by Germany, Salt Lake City began to celebrate. A number of minor accidents were reported at the emergency hospital. Des Moines. Des Moines, Iowa, Nov. 11.-Business was suspended in Des Moines and many other Iowa cities and towns to-day as thousands of persons gave themselves over entirely to celeThrongs on the brating the end of the war. downtown streets here forced abandonment of street car traffic. Milwaukee. Milwaukee, Wis., Nov. 11.-The hanging of William Hohenzollern in effigy and a mammoth bonfire on the lake front were the crowning features of a peace celebration which started early to-day and continued until tonight. ABDICATION OF EMPEROR WILLIAM II. OF GERMANY. On Saturday, Nov. 9, 1918, the imperial German chancellor, Prince Maximilian of Baden, announced the abdication of Emperor William in the following decree: "The kaiser and king has decided to renounce the throne. "The imperial chancellor will remain in office until the questions connected with the abdication of the kaiser, the renouncing by the crown prince of the throne of the German empire and of Prussia, and the setting up of a regency shall have been settled. "For the regency he intends to appoint Deputy Ebert as imperial chancellor, and he proposes that a bill shall be brought in for the establishment of a law providing for the immediate promulgation of general suffrage and for a constitutional German national assembly, which will settle finally the future form of government of the German nation and of those peoples which might be desirous of coming within the empire. "THE IMPERIAL CHANCELLOR. "Berlin, Nov. 9. 1918." German Defeat Acknowledged. "In these difficult days the hearts of many among you, my fellow countrymen, who outside the frontier of the German fatherland are surrounded by manifestations of malicious joy and hatred, will be heavy. Do not despair of the German people. "Our soldiers have fought to the last moment as heroically as any army has ever done. The home land has shown unprecedented strength in suffering and endurance. "In the fifth year, abandoned by its allies, the German people could no longer wage war against the increasingly superior forces. The victory for which many had hoped has not been granted to us. But the German people has won this still greater victory over itself and its belief in the right of might. new "From this victory we shall draw strength for the hard time which faces us and on which you also can build.' It will be noticed that in his announcement Prince Maximilian said that the kaiser had decided to abdicate and not that he had actually abdicated. As a matter of fact the emperor did not actually abdicate until Nov. 28, when he signed the following document: Renunciation of Throne. I "By the present document I renounce forever my rights to the crown of Prussia and the rights to the German imperial crown. release at the same time all the officials of the German empire and Prussia and also all officers, noncommissioned officers and soldiers of the Prussian navy and army and of contingents from confederated states from the oath of fidelity they have taken to me, as their emperor, king and supreme chief. "I expect from them until a new organization of the German empire exists that they will aid those who effectively hold the power in Germany to protect the German people against the menacing dangers of anarchy, famine and foreign domination. "Made and executed and signed by our own hand with the imperial seal at Amerongen, Nov. 28. WILLIAM." Defeated and Deserted. Defeated on the battlefield and deserted by the people of Germany who before the armistice with the allies was signed were in the throes of a revolution, Emperor William was in despair. Ludendorff had resigned and departed for Sweden; Hindenburg remained but advised surrender, as the military situation was impossible; the armies which more than four years before had poured through Brus- His Finds Sanctuary in Holland. Deciding to take refuge in Holland he proceeded by a special train to the frontier station of Eysden, where he awaited the permission of the Dutch authorities to travel farther to Amerongen castle, owned by his friend Count von Bentinck. In his suite were Col.Gen. von Plessen, Lieut.-Gen. von Gontard, Hofmarshal von Platen, Maj.-Gen. von Frankenberg, Maj.-Gen. von Litorff, Maj.-Gen. von Grimman, Col. Count von Moltke, SurgeonColonel von Niester, Maj. von Hirschfeld, Capt. von Ilsermann, Capt. Seiss, Capt. Knauff. Capt. Schaderberg and Capt. Grutsche. No princes were in the party. After some delay he was permitted to proceed and reached Amerongen castle on the afternoon of the 11th, and there he remained at the time this record closed on Dec. 12, 1918. His presence in Holland was unwelcome to many of the people there and for a time it threatened to lead to the deposition of the Dutch queen. The action of the government in giving refuge, to the man generally blamed for bringing on the world war was criticized in most of the allied countries and suggestions that his extradition should be demanded were made. Others contended that the matter should be settled at the general peace conference where all the great issues resulting from the war would be considered. Position of Dutch Government. The position of the Dutch government was made plain on Dec. 11. The former German emperor was entitled to the right of sanctuary in Holland and therefore his return to Germany could not be demanded, according to a statement made on that day by Jonkheer Beerenbruck in the lower chamber of parliament during a debate on the visit of the former emperor to Holland. The premier said the government would have preferred that the former emperor had not chosen Holland as a refuge, but that he came as a private individual, after renouncing his throne, without direct or indirect notification of his intended arrival. After renunciation of his throne, Jonkheer Beerenbruck continued, there could not be a question of internment, nor could the former emperor's return to Germany be demanded, in view of the immemorial tradition of right of sanctuary. The Netherlands government could adopt no line of conduct but that of granting "the right of sanctuary" and acceptThe governing it as a fact accomplished. ment, the premier continued, must repudiate every effort to see in this step an unneutral attitude. Nevertheless, he said, the once emperor's stay in Holland was only regarded as temporary. Up to the present no power had protested against his visit, but any eventual demand for extradition must pass the test of law and of treaty. The government, the premier concluded, would not allow the former emperor to exercise any influence in another country. Imperial Boasts Recalled. After the former emperor's flight to Holland was announced British newspapers gave prominence to some of his utterances while the war was in progress. 1914. In the year 1914 he said: "Before the leaves fall from the trees we shall be back again in the dear fatherland. Exterminate first the treacherous English and walk over Gen. French's contemptible little army. The warlike spirit still lives in the German people-that powerful spirit which attacks the enemy wherever it finds him regardless of the cost. "You, my troops, are my guaranty that I can dictate peace to my enemies. Up and at the foes! God's goodness will guide the German people through battle to victory-to the goal appointed for the German people by Providence. I have drawn the sword, which without victory and without honor I cannot sheathe again. We stand with our hearts toward God-to the dust with all the enemies of Germany! Amen.' 1915. 1 In the year 1915 the German ruler said: "Our brave soldiers have shown themselves to be invincible in battle against nearly the whole world. The war drama now is coming to its close." To the king of the Senussi he said: "Our common enemies whom Allah will annihilate to the last man, shall fly before thee. So be it." Regarding the United States the emperor declared: "America had better look out after the war. I shall stand no nonsense from the Americans. My destructive sword nas crushed the Russians. In a short while I will announce new victories. The war drama now is coming to its close. In a just cause I am ready to force myself to be cruel." 1916. In 1916 the emperor said: "The world was prepared for anything_but a victory of the German fleet over the British fleet. Fear will creep into the bones of the enemy. nificent success on the road to complete victory has been gained with God's help! "Germany is invincible in spite of the superior numbers of our enemies and every day confirms this anew. Germany knows her strength and she relies on God's help. "The foe is defending his native soil foot This is the resistance of despair, by foot. but it must be broken. He has prepared his soup and now he must sup it. I look to you to see to it. "All Germany contemplates with pride her brave sons, whose deeds with God's help will be a landmark on the road to final victory 1917. In 1917 the head of the German nation said: "If the enemy does not want peace, then we must bring peace by battering in with iron fist and shining sword the doors of those who will not have peace. on "Victory in the coming year will again be our side and on that of our allies. if only we cast the burden on the Lord, He will smite the foe hip and thigh as He did Amalek, the prototype of perfidious England. "Our 'U' boats are not going to rest until, with God's help, the enemy is beaten. the help of God, who has hitherto graciously protected us, the enemy shall have a decision, "England is particularly the enemy to be struck down, however difficult it may be. With "The year 1917 with its great battles has proved that the German people has in the Lord of Creation above an unconditional and avowed ally on whom it can absolutely rely 1918. In June, 1918, the emperor said: "God, the Lord, has laid a heavy burden on my shoulders, but I can carry it in the consciousness of our good right, with confidence in our sharp sword and our strength." This was followed by various utterances of "Bukharest has been taken. What a mag-growing despondency. CROWN PRINCE WILLIAM ON THE WAR. Frederick William Hohenzollern, former crown prince of Germany, while a refugee in Holland, gave his views of the world war to a correspondent of The Associated Press Dec. 3, 1918. In the course of a lengthy conversation which took place in the small cottage of the village pastor on the island of Wieringen, where he is interned, he denied that as crown prince he had renounced his claim to the German throne. "However,' he continued, "should the Ger man government decide to form a republic similar to the United States or France I shall be perfectly content to return to Germany as a simple citizen, ready to do anything to assist my country. I should even be happy to work as a laborer in a factory. "At present everything appears chaos in Germany, but I hope things will right themselves.' Asked what in his opinion was the turning point of the war, he said: "I was convinced early in October, 1914. that we had lost the war. I considered our position hopeless after the battle of the Marne, which we should not have lost if the chiefs of our general staff had not suffered a case of nerves. "I tried to persuade the general staff to seek peace then, even at a great sacrifice, going so far as to give up Alsace-Lorraine. But I was told to mind my own business and confine my activities to commanding my armies. I have proof of this. "The air raids on London and other towns and the big gun used against Paris were useless militarily, and in fact, were silly. Orders to submarine commanders were read differently by various officers, who went much too far. "Regarding air raids, I suggested two years my ago an international agreement confining air activities to the actual war zone, but opinion was entirely disregarded. I was again told my job was to command my armies." What finally brought about the downfall of the German military power, he declared, was revolution induced by four years of hunger among the civilians and the troops in the rear, together with the overwhelming superiority in numbers attained by the entente powers since America's entry into the war, which had undermined the confidence of the German fighting forces. "My soldiers, whom I loved and with whom I lived continuously, and who, if I may say so, loved me, fought with the utmost courage to the end, even when the odds were impossible to withstand," the refugee prince went on: "They had no rest, and sometimes an entire division numbered only 600 rifles. These were opposed by fresh allied troops, among whom were American divisions containing 27,000 men apiece." Describing how he left the front, Frederick William declared: kaiser left Germany. "I was with my group of armies after the I asked the Berlin government whether they desired me to retain my command. They replied negatively, and I could not continue to lead armies under orders of the soldiers and workers' council, "Therefore I came to Holland without hindrance. No shooting or bombing occurred. and I quit the army with the greatest regret. after having participated in the trench life with the soldiers for so long. "I have not been in Germany for a year. and from the beginning of the war I have taken only three or four fortnight leaves." |