Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-19
Poincare Speaks aid Presi-
dent Wilson Names Glenn
J enceau as Chairman.
LEAGUE OF NATIONS TAKES
PRECEDENCE ON PROGRAM
Responsibility for War, Its Crimes
and Labor Legislation
to Follow.

PARIS, January 18.-The peace con-
ference, destined to be historic, and
on which the eyes of the world are
now centered, was opened this after
noon in the great Sale de Ia Paris.
The proceedings, which were con-
fined to the election Of Georges Glenn
enceau, the French premier, as per
manent chairman of the conference,
an address of welcome by the presi-
dent Of the French republic, Raymond
Poincare, and speeches by President
Wilson, Premier Lloyd George and
Baron Sonnino, were characterized by
!, expressions of lasting friendship and
the apparent determination Of the rep
resentatives Of the various nations to
come to an amicable understanding
with respect to the problems to be de-
cided by the conference.
I Scene One Of solemnity.
5 when President Poincare, spoke, the
entire assembly stood. and the fact
that. according to. custom. no APP
/ plause greeted his utterances gave
| greater solemnity to the scene.
n. Cemenceau's acceptance OF the
| presidency Of the congress was both
q feeling expression of personal
| gratitude and q definite outline OF
the great questions Immediately
ahead Three Of. these larger gem
eral subjects he defined AZ response
bility. for the war. responsibility for
crimes during the war and interna-
tional labor legislation.
The league Of nations. he DECLARED.
was at the head OF the program TOR
E.theSnanf sfnllsneellasn s:s-ss
Our ambition Is great and noble
/ one" said NJ Clemenceau. I'VE wish to
avoid . repetition Of the catastrophe
! which bathed the world in blood. II
| the league Of nations is to be prac-
tcable we must all remain united.
Let us carry out our program quickly
and in an effective manner
Z. Consults About Ex-Kaiser.
Referring to the authors of the war,
he said he had consulted two eminent
jurists on the penal responsibility OF the
former German emperor and each dele
gate would receive q copy Of that
| report
In all seventy-two seats were pro-
vided for the opening session Of the
peace conference. On the outer side
| of the great horseshoe were arranged
| the Japanese, the British and colonial
delegates and the seat of the NTH
British delegate. A chair for the NTH
American delegate also was reserved
Immediately to the right of the table
| Of honor.
The italian, Belgian. Brazilian, Gu
ban. Haitian, Peruvian. Portuguese,
Serbian. Czechosiovakian and Uru-
guayan delegates sat in the order
| named. Across at the left wing OF the
table sat the Siamese. Rumanian. Pol
l ish. Liberian. Hedjaz. Gpatemalan, Ec-
uadorean. Chinese and Bolivian dele
| cations
! Arrival Of Mr.. Wilson.
As the delegations arrived they were
met by fanfares Of trumpets and ac-
corded military honors by the troops
President Wilson's arrival at ten min
! utes of was the signal for. DEM
! onstration from the crowds. The Presi-
where NJ. Pichon. the French foreign
/ minister, awaited and conducted him to
/; the council room.
Delegates greeted President Wilson
warmly a. he passed toward the table
Of honor. Here he was Joined by Sec
retary Lansing. Mr.. White and Gen.
Bliss
Just at 8 o'clock a rufiA Of drums
and blare Of trumpets announced the
president was escorted by the group of
premiers to the head of the table, while
hush fell upon the assemblage as the
moment arrived for the opening Of the
congress.
=! Congress Comes Into Being.
" It was exactly three minutes past Z
o'clock when M. Poincare began his
address and the peace congress came
into being. The entire assemBlage
stood as the president spoke. Presi.
dent Wilson stood Immediately at his
right and listened attentively. M
Poincare spoke in an earnest, easy
manner, without declamatory effect
and, following usage. there was no ap.
plause or interruption.
President Wilson rose as M Poin-
care made his exit, 'It gives ms
great pleasure" he said, "to propose
as permanent chairman Of the confer.
ence Mr.. Clemenceau."
President Wilson spoke in converse.
tional voice, which. however, carried
throughout the chamber, as he paid
eloquent tribute to the French pre-.
mier.
Premier Lloyd George seconded the
nomination of NJ. Clemenceau. Baron
Eonnino. the Italian foreign minister
added Italy's tribute, whereupon the
plecfion Of NJ CJaun apcoau 90 npao;d