F. —Duration of Armistice
XXXIV. —The duration of the Armistice is to be 36 days, with option to extend. During this period, on failure of execution of any of the above clauses, the Armistice may be repudiated by one of the contracting parties on 48 hours’ previous notice. It is understood that failure to execute Articles III and XVIII completely in the periods specified is not to give reason for a repudiation of the Armistice, save where such failure is due to malice aforethought.
To ensure the execution of the present convention under the most favorable conditions, the principle of a permanent International Armistice Commission is recognized. This Commission shall act under the supreme authority of the High Command, military and naval, of the Allied Armies.
The present Armistice was signed on the 11th day of November 1918, at 5 o’clock a.m. (French time).
(Signed) F. FOCH
R. E. WEMYSS
ERZBERGER
A. OBERNDORFF
V. WINTERFELDT
VANSELOW
11th November 1918.
The representatives of the Allies declare that, in view of fresh events, it appears necessary to them that the following condition shall be added to the clauses of the Armistice:
‘In case the German ships are not handed over within the periods specified, the Governments of the Allies and of the United States shall have the right to occupy Helgoland to ensure their delivery.’
(Signed) R. E. WEMYSS, Admiral
F. FOCH
The German delegates declared that they will forward this declaration to the German Chancellor, with the recommendation that it be accepted, accompanying it with the reasons by which the Allies have been actuated in making this demand.
(Signed) ERZBERGER
OBERNDORFF
WINTERFELDT
VANSELOW
Source: Sir Frederick Maurice, The Armistices of 1918. London, New York, Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1943, pp. 93-100.
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