The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-06-28
EPOCHAL EVENT

were placed beside the one within the
historic Hall of Mirrors on which the
peace treaty was laid. One of the
new tables held the Rhine convention
and the other the protocol containing
changes in and interpreting of the
treaty. All these documents had to
be signed by each plenipotentiary and
the arrangement of the tables thus
enabled three persons to be engaged
simultaneously in affixing their sigma
lures.
Because of the size of the treaty
and the fragile seals it bore, the plan
to present it for signing to Premier
Clemenceau, President Wilson and
Premier Lloyd George seemed unlike
ly to be carried out, the new plan be-
ing for the three conference leaders
to step IL the table to affix their
signatures.
Streams of Automobiles.
Hours before the time set for the
ceremony a seemingly endless stream
Of automobiles began moving up the
cannon-lined hills of Champs Elysees.
past the Arc de Triomphe and out
through the shady Bots de Boulogne
carrying the plenipotentiaries, officials
and guests to the ceremony. The
thorofare was kept clear by pickets.
dragons and mounted gendarmes.
The automobiles bearing delegates
and secretaries had reserved for their
use the Avenue du Paris, the broad
boulevard, leading direct to the
chateau's court of honor. French
soldiers being ranged along the high
the court guard of honor was drawn
up to present arms as the leading
plenipotentairies passed the guard
comprising company of republican
guards in brilliant uniform. The en-
trance for the delegates was by the
fn he &c
apartments and the Hall of Peace.
giving access thence to the Hall of
Mirrors. The walls of these apart
ments were hung with unique Gobelin
tapestries.
Route to Peace Table.
The route to the peace table for the
plenipotentiaries was thru a space re-
served for some 400 privileged guests
who were instructed to be in their
seats well in advance of the entry of
the delegates. 1t had been arranged
that the delegations. instead of stray
Cling in without order as when the
original terms of peace were commun-
icated to the Germans should enter by
groups each one being formally an
nounced by ushers from the French
foreign office.
This formality was not prescribed
for the Germans. who were given a
separate route of entry. coming thru
way thru the ground floor. There was
thus avoidance of occasion for the
guard of honor to render them mill
tary honors, these being reserved for
the allied representatives. The dis
mounted guardsmen on the marble
staircase and in the Queens apart
ments," however, were instructed to
remain in their places for the entry
of the Germans.
The Hall of Mirrors.
Within the Hall of Mirrors, where
the historical furnishings and paint
ings gave tone of impressive state
which would otherwise have been
rather lacking in the assemblage of
soberly attired delegates, seventy-two
chairs for the plenipotentiaries were
drawn up around three sides of the Ia
Bile, which formed an open rectangle
side. A chair for M Clemenceau,
president of the peace conference, was
placed in the center of the long table
facing the windows, with those for
President Wilson and Premier Lloyd
George on the right and left hand re-
spectiveiy
The German delegates were assigned
seats at the side of the table nearest
the entrances which they could take
after all the others had cen seated.
This arrangement was made to per-
nit the Germans to leave after the
lied delegations, not waiting for the
semi procession of allied dele
gates to the terrace from which to wit
ness the playing of the Versailles
fountains before returning to Paris.
The streets and court yards outside
the palace were brilliant with flags, in
long rows, Tapping in the wind, and
with long ranks of soldiers, behind
whom were seas of happy, smiling
faces, as thousands crowded to well
come the return of peace.
In the Hall of Mirrors, the table
where the treaty was signed stood
within a few yards ef the spot where
William was crowned German emperor
and tho German empire was pro-
claimed.
AT the Hotel des Reservoirs, the
Germans congregated in the court
yard, solemn, but declaring they now
must look to the future.
Mueller Looked the Diplomat
Mueller was of a tall and striking
type-he looks like a diplomat Bell
is middle-aged, with glasses, and a
black moustache and an excited man
ner-a radical typo of politician.
AS the hour of signing approached,
the crowd fairly stormed the gates of
the palace.
Report to State Department
Versailles, June 2S.-Official report
transmitted from Hall of Mirrors to
the state department:
President Wilson and the American
delegation completed signing the
peace treaty at 3:14 O'Clock, Paris
time. 1t also was signed by DIR. Her
mann Mueller at 3:12 and Dr.
Johannes Bell at 3:13 p. m. for the
Germans.
The American delegation signed in
this order: Secretary Lansing. Henry
White, Colonel House and General
Bliss.
The Chinese plenipotentiaries did
not sign and were not present. They
have written 20 the president of the
conference stating that they would not
be present and that they are awaiting
instructions from their government.
All of the plenipotentiaries having
signed the treaty, NJ. Clemenceau de-
clared the session closed.
(This dispatch was not timed at Yer
sailles. 1t was received in Washing
ton at 1920 a. m