The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-05-09
GERMANS WORE
MO SACKCLOTH
Came to Hear Sentence Pro-
nouneed, but Remained to
Utter Defiance. 81
CHALLENGE RANG FALSE
Never More Dramatic Moment
in History as Feeling Against
Hun Rekindles.
CHALLENGE RANG FALSE
N.C.5 and crf
IBy Herbert Bayard Swope

1By heTDSft bdydru ISoWOpe,J
Paris, May Thy Telegraph
From N. Y. World, Copyright)--Ger-
many came to judgment today, not
in sackcloth and ashes, but with
head up and with spirit seemingly
unbroken. Her representatives came
to hear sentence. pronounced, and
they remained to utter defiance. In
stead of asking elemency they de-
mandeds justice, that should not find
them At once sni5tg put should dis-
cover that other European nations,
bitten by imperialism, also took part
in the destruction Of the worlds
peace.
So ran the German theme. but be-
meath it was to be felt the impotence
that had overaken the nation. The
challenge rang false, for 1t followed
a confession that fell haltingly from
the lips of her spokesman, in which
Germany appeared as physically
powerloss.
Dramatic Moment.
History never recorded a more
dramatic moment, or moment of
deeper meaning to civilization. Bril-
liant sunshine flooded the room in
the Trinon palace, but the life and
gayety BETTING such weather were
strangely absent. The atmosphere
was sombre and funeral. Few
smiled, and those not often.
When the Germans filed in, led by
Count Rantzau, who looked like a
deaths head, and could scarcely walk
the assembly had much the same
feeling as in spirit, when the judge
pronounces sentence of death upon a
murderer. In the agony of suspense,
trifes were greatly magnified, and
there was a general sense of the en-
barrassmenC which often attends
great occasions.
Foes Audacity Left All Breathess.
1t had not been expected that the
Germans were to speak, in fact, it
had been said that there would be no
response from those who resenfbled
nothing so much as prisoners at the
bar.
When Premier Clemenceau had fin
ished his brief and formal utterance
Coun Won Brockdorff- ff-Rantzau indi-
Gated that he wished to be heard.
There was a questioning loo o. the
tigers face and he frowned as he
nodded assent, whereupon the Ger
man began to read an address which.
with the translation into French and
English, occupied precisely thirty-hve
minutes.
The audacity of the speech left all
hearers breathless. Their eyes
turned to Premier Clemenceau, who
for the first time seemed uncertain
what course to pursue. For an in
slant it looked as if the old man
would peremptorily order the speaker
to desist.
Testify and sneeringly, he com
manded the interpreters to hitch their
voices louder. He squirmed in his
chair, but finally, after whispering
with President Wilson, he dropped
into a posture half attentive and halt
bored, and listened. Here. was COM
mon enemy asse rting himself in
defiant manner. In that situation,
differences among the delegates were
sunk, and the one dominant thought
was that against such an enemy all
must be united. One could feel the
intensity of the union that German
opposition had instantly recreated,
and the fact was at once recognized /
that the union existed and had not ,
been shattered as had been believed.
In tones of passion he delivered /!
what he intended to be his hardest 7
blow, when he said crimes committed /!
in the heat of war might be palliated, /
but asked what was to be said of the !
guilt of the allies, who had permitted +
of thousands of non-combat' !
ants to be killed by the prolopgation !
Of the blockade six months after the |
signing of the armistice.
Final Chapter Of War Begun.
A sharp intake of breath among |
The delegates showed the effect OF !
his attempt to make out an indict-
ment on this score. 4
Drylys and curtly, as the count 1
closed, Premier Clemenceau asked If !
fhe Germans desired to make further !
remarks. and Coun Rantzau. rising
feeblv from his chair and bowing' |
said in perfect French, For my part, |
no" The premier thereupon declared /
the session adjourned waving the al |
lied delegates to remain in their |
places TO permit the Teutons to file |
out alone. The final chapter Of the
war had begun.