Text 21960, 46 rader
Skriven 2008-10-16 10:29:14 av Robert Bashe (2:2448/44)
  Kommentar till text 21934 av Ward Dossche (2:292/854)
Ärende: Socialism in the US of A
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Ward Dossche wrote to Robert Bashe on Wednesday October 15 2008 at 20:32:

WD>>> Read again my words ... Germany was ready to enter into a negotiated
WD>>> truce late in 1917, there have been negotiations and part of the
WD>>> deal was that Germany would vacate all occupied territory and
WD>>> withdraw within its original borders.

RB>> Where is this described? I'd like to read up on it.

WD> In the pathos of the newspapers of those days it is clearly
WD> referenced.

I thought you had some concrete evidence.

WD> Even "The Times" wrote about it in 1917.

WD> The troops on both sides were ready to walk-out ... sort of go on
WD> strike.

You know what happens to deserters in wartime? And in 1917 they were less
forgiving and understanding than they are now. They shot such people "pour
encoureger les autres". Take a look at "Paths of Glory" (1957) for a less
romantic view of how WWI really was.

WD> Both my grandfathers were stuck for 4 years in the mud of Flanders and
WD> had stories to tell when they were still alive.

Who ever claimed it was a pleasure? But troop morale and attitudes are
something far removed from the will of the national leaders.

WD> Haven't you ever heard about the football games between German and
WD> English soldiers as well as the joint Christmas celebrations during
WD> which Christmas gifts were exchanged between enemies?

That was the winter of 1914 and didn't repeat itself after the commanders
learned of it and disciplined the participants.

Frankly, I'm still looking for some hard evidence that Germany was willing to
conclude a negotiated peace in 1917 - and that the allies (France, the UK) were
willing to negotiate. Mere citations of poor troop morale aren't enough to
demonstrate that.

Cheers, Bob

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