The terms of the armistice, which we have summarized, make
it obviously impossible for Germany to resume the war. The armistice is to last for thirty-six days, and may be extended. If any clause is not fulfilled, the armistice may be denounced at forty-eight hours' notice, so that the enemy is put under an obligation to keep his word, for the first time in the history of modern Germany. Dr. Solf, one of the late Emperor's favourite servants, who still remains at the Foreign Office, lost no time in trying to make mischief by telegraphing an appeal on Monday to President Wilson to " mitigate these fearful conditions," on the ground that Germany would be starved, and that the enforcement of the armistice would irritate the German people. On Tuesday Dr. Soli asked the Presi- dent to hasten negotiations for at least a " preliminary peace." Such whining appeals come ill from a man who a few weeks ago was defending the far more stringent terms imposed upon Russia and Rumania. Moreover, the Allies had promised in the armistice to provide Germany with food, if necessary. The German. people are very much mistaken if they think, by changing their form of government, to escape the consequences of defeat in a war of which they heartily approved so long as they were winning victories.
