The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-01-18
FIRST FORMAL SESSION
OF PEACE COUNCIL HELD
All Allied Nations Represented
as President PoinCaire.
Opens Initial Meeting of
Delegates In Sale de Id Paix


PARIS, Jan ls.-The peace confer
ence was formally opened this after
noon with a speech by President Poln-
care, OF France, thus inangurating the
first formal session OF the congress.
All the peace delegations held final
meetings this morning before the as.
sembling Of the congress, The Ameri-.
can delegation met at 10 o'clock, but
President Wilson did not attend, re-
1halning at the Murat mansion to rest.
While there had been, some eXpectaS
tlon that President Wilson might adj
dress the opening session on behalf OF
the foreign delegates in response to
President Poineare's address. of well
oeme II was finally determined that
there would3be no speeches except those
by President Poincare and Premier
Clemenceau, when the premier takes
the chair as the presiding officer Of the
congress.
The foreign office was the center of
interest from an early hour this morn-
ing as the crowds gathered and final
preparations were made FOR the OPEN
ing Of the peace congress at o'clock
this afternoon.
Along the Quai D'Orsay the crowds
awaited the appearance of the delegates
and gazed at the tall windows Of the
Sale de la PaiX, where the congress
met. Toward midday troops called out
positions fronting the Palais Bourbon
and the foreign office with a guard OF
honor drawn up in the court leading to
the entrance to the foreign office
The Sale de Ia Paix, one Of the most
splendid reception rooms in Europe,
had been placed in readiness for the
delegations as they entered to inaugu.
rate sittings of the full congress, the
entire chamber having been Tearranged.
With the assembling of the first full
session of the peace congress today
the prospects of rapid progress with Its
work seem enhanced by the apparent
defeat OF Bolshevism In Germany, thus
opening the way to the stabilizing bf
the government and the prospect of it's
being able to send responsible repre-
sentatives to the conference.
The congress Is expected to devote
itself .single-mi indedly to the creation
of league Of nations and the. first
steps toward that, it is understood, will
be taken today. A study Of the meth
DDS by which the league can be organ
lied will be committed formally to an
interallied commission, sitting con-
which will present the result of its la
bors for ratification at the windup of
the congress.
First to catch the eye Of the plenl-
potentiaries entering the hall, a statue
Of peace holding aloft the torch of
i
| hind the GhafF 81 Premier CIemenceatl
Of France, the presiding officer. 1t
seems as II the statue might have been
placed in this position to exercise a
controlling influence on the delibera-
tions.
In front of the statue was spread the
council table, covered with the tradi-
tional green baise of diplomacy. This
table is in the form of huge horse
shoe. Across the upper end We're nina
seats of honor for the presiding off,
on each side Of the two arms of the
horseshoe. there We're Is seats, making
60 seats besides the nine at the head
Of the table.
Each delegates chair was uphol-
stored in bright red leather and before
Of writing materials. The fittings Of
the room were in white and gold with
a frescoed ceiling bordered by dancing
Cupids. Four great luster chandeliers
hung from the. ceiling, while five large
windows, looking out over the Seine
river, cast a flood of light over the
sumptuous apartment.
Leading from the council room was
another large chamber overlooking the
gardens To this room the delegates
can retire for consultations. A large
table at one end suggested that refresh
WYNN ~ 1SA w. N''Sh - w NilS
delegates.
Have Dining Room.
Further on was q gorgeous state din
ing room where luncheon and dinner
may be served to the delegates in case
protracted sessions are held. The whole
suite of rooms was suggestive of ele-
gance and beauty and the artistic taste
Of the French.
1t Is understood that when the su-
preme war council adjourned yesterday
there was pending plan for one open
and five secret sessions per week.
American press representatives decided
at a meeting this evening to continue
their efforts to have the publicity fea-
ture Of the peace congress absolutely
| unrestricted. Another call was issued
for a meeting tomorrow for all press
representatives, including the French.
II now seems that the concessions
made by the supreme council yester-
day constitute what might be called
half a loaf" 1t is understood that
| these concessions were made after a
vigorous discussion led by President
Wilson, who was supported by British
| delegates Mr.. Wilson has received
many cablegrams from the United
| States, almost all of which have urged
| him to contend for the fullest publicity
consistent with the success Of the con-
|