Germans open peace negotiations before 1918 offensives?

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Though I know its virtually ASB with Ludendorff making policy, but what if prior to the 1918 offensives the Germans started negotiations for peace, planning on using the talks to demoralize the Allies as they attacked to gain leverage during the talks? I'm sure Ludendorff would demand a harsh peace as his starting deal. How would that effect the Allied camp and how would the German offensives impact the negotiations?

I'm just gonna throw a curve-ball of unknown plausibility: How about they get the colonies back, and all parties agree to demilitarizing the African colonies?
 
I'm just gonna throw a curve-ball of unknown plausibility: How about they get the colonies back, and all parties agree to demilitarizing the African colonies?

In theory, the Central African colonies were neutral according to the Congo-Agreements. Didn't help much.

And another Thing. Demilitarizing the African colonies? You know there is a local Population which Needs to be supressed!
 
Wilson's behaviour in October 1918 is inexplicable if his intention were unconditional surrender.

It wasn't. It was General Pershing who wanted that, and also TR and divers (mostly Republican) politicians back home.

Wilson didn't, though he observed that should Germany remain a military autocracy "we must demand, not peace negotiations, but surrender". But this was simply an unsubtle hint to the Germans that they'd better be serious about becoming a democracy.
 
Please explain, I am curious.

The Germans were obviously on the ropes in October 1918 when they asked for an armistice. All Wilson had to do was reply that the Germans had not answered the 14 points and the Allies now demanded unconditional surrender. Do that, and the war would be completed in 1919 - maybe June 1919 and the Germans are done. The fact that he moved for an armistice rather than do that is indicative that he wanted to end the war as quickly as possible on terms that the Allies could live with.
 
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