The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-06-30
vii SON CERTAIN WILL HAVE NO i
TROUBLE CONVINCING PEOPI, 81
ABOUT THE LEAGUE OF NATION
President Smiles
as Signs the Paper
Graphic Tale Of Events in Hall
of Mirrors as Peace Treaty
Becomes Binding.
,By WILLIAM J. cutlery

Hail of Mirrors. Trianon Palace.
Versailles, June % tdelayed),-His
face pale and drawn. but his hand
steady, DR.. Hermann Mueller. German
foreign minister. and head OF the ne"
German peace delegation, AFFIXED his
signature to the treaty of peace twelve
minutes after 5 o'clock this afternoon.
thus ending the world war. His col
league, Or Johannes Bell. of solemn
face and manner, followed minute
afterward,
The hum and buzz of conversation
throughout the large hall of mirrors
suddenly subsidized and A tombiike ST.
fence fell upon the brilliant assembly
while the two Germans marched Shout
der TO shoulder their backs straight as
ramrods. and. with an evident fefgneo
ease of manner, to the signing table
where they acknowledged their coun-
try's guilt for the crime of 1914, re-
pentence. and promise OF reparation
Then the tension ended. President
Wilson arose smiling broadly. He
walked to the table. followed by Sscre-
tary Lansing. Colonel House. Henry
White and General Bliss all smiling
and noddinr to the world famous dele
gates seated about the hollow, raral-
isoEram shaped table Of gold plush.
The smile left President Wilson's
face for a moment when he took the
pen and signed, but on returning TO
hts seat his extreme happiness over
the elimination OF the war again was
evidenced when he patted one or two
acauaintances on the backs.
The British delegation came next.
Iioyd-George took Mr. wilson's cue
smiled and nodded profuseiy ~hlie
walking to the table
Next came the tiger" heading the
French delegation. He walked with
solemn step, his eyes straight ahead
There was no smile on his griz.ied
features.
Democratic simplicity marked the
historic event In place OF the tradt-
tional gold braided diplomatic court
dreee. sombre black coats were worn.
contrasting strangely with the few
sarishiy bedecked Republicans guards
hitting about with their silver and gold
helmets, sweeping black horse hair
names. red and black TUNES. and white
! kuckskin trousers.
TIE sunshine Ut 4 beautiful summer
day streanAed through the windows.
rlAying on the great mirror onrosfte
the wall and lighting UP the historic
gallery with its shimmering gold. ano
the militant art decorations on the
walls and ceilings.
AS the correspondent writes this
down the cheering Of the crowds out
side the palace minEles with the roar
Of distant cannon AM shrieking wins
Ties announcing peace at last. after
four years and 32a days OF war peace
on the anniversary OF the assassination
of the Austrian archduke. Frances
Ferdinand at Sara5evo. which was the
signal for the world conflict.
when the correspondent left the hall
a few minutes ago, the German. Amer
lean, French. British. italian. japanese
and Belgian delegations had signed
/ Rut two hours more Of ceremony Is
looked for before the rest Of the ma
tions have finished. in alphabetical
order.
The original italian delegates, Baron
scnnino. Crespi and LInperaA Nenf 10
tho signing table smiling. despite the
fall OF the regime which sent them
here.
Awed whispers ana EXPLANATIONS
swept the chamber. particularly the
roped -on reporters section. with the
news that the Chinese delegation had
refused to attend and sign
ScurryinK journalists rushing to tel
egraph wires and the efforts OF ushers
to prevent the bis crowd from ciamor-
inK atop the plush benches for bet
ter view. added to the confusion pre-
Urinary to the opening OF the session.
Az I write. President wilson Ano
Premier Clemenceau. arm-in- arm, are
leaving the palace. From my window
can see the cheering crowds closing
in on the famous pair. graphing for
. handmade
The piumed and armed soldiers and
guards are ruthlsssly pushed aside by
the toyour crowds while Mr.. Wilson
and the etiKer" smile and wave their