Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-01-16
SUPREME COUNCIL
HOLDS MEETING
President Wilson and Repre-
sentatives of Four Great
Powers Hold Conference
A GATHERING
First Time Worlds best known States
men Have Been brought Together
Peace Congress Ushered In

' t"S
P~ress).-The supreme council of the
peace congress, consisting of President
Wilson and the premiers and foreign min
isteers of the four great powers, Great
Britain, France, the United States and
Italy. met at three o'clock his afternoon
at the French foreign office for the first
forma exchange of views and to make
arrangements for the procedure of the
conference tomorrow at which the full
delegations will be present.
To-day's meeting was chiefly interest
ng In Its personal aspects-the bringing to-
gether for the first time of the worlds
best known statesmen, who are now
guiding figures of the congress. The
scene as they ssembled was one of IN
usual activity.
The day was dark and raw. and the
statesmen arrived at the meeting place in
heavy wraps. The usual Sunday calm
across the Seine was interrupted by the
great crowds which lined the Quai Dor
say, anxious to pay tribute to the nota-
BILE figures concerned in the worlds most
dramatic function. Batteries of photo
graphers and of miving picture experts
were dawn up fanking the entrances of
the foreign ministry. Lines of soldiers
and other guards preserved order.
VAC iio IOSh was thN hiSS VI nv iHs'
plenipotentiaries to arrive. He came at
two O'Clock and finding himself in the
van of the delegations, waited in the
vestibule. The generalissimo was dressed
in a very heavy field coat. He wore boots
with spurs. On his uniform he displayed
the insignia of his rank.
Soon after Foch came Robert Lansing.
the American secretary of state. accom-
panied by his military aide. who was
followed by Mr.. Frazer. counselor of the
American embassy.
At just 2:% p. m. President Wilson's
limousine swung up to the entrance. The
President was accompanied by Mrs. Will
son and was greeted with cries Of "Vive
wilson," With the President and his
wife was Admiral Grayson, the Presi-
dents physician.
AS he ~alighted, President Wilson lifted
his hat to MBrs Wilson, who drove away
with Admiral Grayson. President Will
son wore a dark suit and overcoat and
a silk hat, and carried a large leather
portfolio.
AS Mr.. Wilson entered the vestibule
Of the foreign office. Stephen Pichon, the
French foreign minister. stepped forward
to greet him and escorted him into his
private office, where the conference was
held.
NJ. Clemenceau, the French prime min
lister. followed. He was alone and bore
a serious mien. NJ. Clemenceau was
dressed in a business suit and wore a
derby hat. Signor Orlando, the Italian
/, premier, came soon afterward, accom-
panied by Signor Sonnino, his foreign
minister.
The last to arrive was David Lloyd
George, the British prime minister. and
Arthur j. Balfour, the British foreign
secretary. h motored up together.
The British premier also was in bust
ness attire. Mr.. Balfour, in addition to
his workday clothes, wore a soft felt
hat, which was pushed back on his head.
Military aides followed the British COM
m!ssioners, carrying a large despatch
case.
In addition to the chief factors an
nounced above We're NJ. Leagues, the
French minister of marine, NJ. Clementel,
minister Of commerce., and NJ. Loucher,
minister of Industrial reconstruction.
The conference opened promptly at
three o'clock. From the offices of NJ.
Pichon the vista was over the gardens
of the foreign ministry. The desk of NJ.
Pichon had been pushed back and a large
table of Flemish oak substituted. A
large marble statue Of the republic, sur
mounted by a cap of liberty, looked
down on the assembled statesmen. who
found themselves gathered for the first
time around the traditional green table"
The meeting was an extended one. 1t
was mainly for the purpose Of settling
new terms for prolonging the armistice,
which expires January II. and for deter
mining the number and composition of
the delegations of the various countries
for the sessions of the peace congress
which is about to open.
AS a result of to-day's council it is
expected that formal notices will be
issued convoking the conferences. assign
ing delegations for each country and
the fixing of the hours of the meeting.
To-day's council ushers in the long
awaited meeting of the peace delegates.