Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-01-19
FRIENDSHIP IS
KEYNOTE AT
PEACE CONGRESS-
Continued from Page One)

/ 0eANAAeu AoAA ANGN 0ANst
Cuban, Haitian, Peruvian, Portu-
guese, Serbian, Czecho-Slovak and
Uriguanian delegates sat in the or
der named. Across at the left wing
of the table sat the Siamese. Rou-
manian, Polish, Liberian, Hedjaz,
Guatemaian, Ecuardorian, Chinese
and Bolivian delegations.
Received With Military Honors.
AS the delegations arrived they
were met by fanfares of trumpets
and accorded military honors by the
troops. The Japanese were among
the earlier arrivals and were fol-
lowed by the Siamese and East In
dams in picturesque turbans.
President Wilson's arrival at 10
minutes of 8 was the signal for a
demonstration from the crowds.
The president passed into an ante
chamber, where M. Pichon, the
French foreign minister awaited
and conducted him to the council
Already the chamber was crowd
ed with delegates who greeted the
president warmly as he passed to-
ward the table of honor. Here he
was joined by Secretary Lansing,
Mr.. White and General Bliss, and
exchanged greetings with the Brit
ish and many other delegates.
Just at 3 o'clock a ruffle Of drums
and blare of trumpets announced
the approach of M. Poincare. The
French president was escorted by
the group of premiers to the head
of the table, while hush fell upon
the assemblage as the moment ar
rived for the opening Of the con-
gress.
All Stand During Address.
1t was exactly three minutes past
8 o'clock when M. Poincare began
his address and the peace congress
came into being. The entire as
semblage stood as the president
spoke.
President Wilson stood imme-
diately at his right and listened at.
tentively. M. Poincare spoke in an
earnest, easy manner, without de-
clamatory effect and, following
usage. there was no applause or in
terruption.
M. Poincare spoke in French and,
when he had concluded, an inter-
prefer read the discourse in English,
AS M. Poincare closed, he turned
to receive the congratulations of
President Wilson and Premier
Lloyd George, and then Withdrew,
greeting each delegation as he re-
tired.
President Wilson rose as M.
Poincare made his exit. 1T gives
me great pleasure" he said, ito
propose as permanent chairman of
the conference M. Clemenceau."
President Wilson spoke in con-
versational voice, which, however,
carried throughout the chamber, as
he paid eloquent tribute to the
French premier.
Premier Lloyd George seconded
nomination of M. Glemenceau,
speaking earnestly VI tIIc ulstlAl-
guished services the French premier
had rendered in war and peace.
: Baron Sonnino, the Italian for
eign minister, added Italy's tribute,
whereupon the election of M.
Clemenceau as presiding officer was
made unanimous.
In a feeling address, M. Clemen-
cean acknowledged the honor con-
ferred upon him. He turned first
to President Wilson and bowed his
thanks, then to Mr.. Lloyd George
FOR the tribute he had paid him. It
was not alone tribute to him, he
said, but to France.
1--WE have come together as
friends" he exclaimed. 1--WE must
leave this hall as friends"
League Already Here.
Referring to the league of ma
tionsg M. Clemenceau declared it
was already in the way of being
achieved by the gathering of this
conference.
He then turned to the program