The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1919-06-28
BIC Three" OFF
FOR VERSAILLES
CIemenceau and Others to Set
Stage for Final Act Of
World War.
CHIEF OF FOE ENJOYS QUITS
Dr.. Won Haimhauser, Chosen to Place
Germany's Signature to Peace
Treaty, Refuses to Act,
and Resigns.

Paris, June 25.-The "big three"
left Versailles to inspect arrangements
for signing the treaty.
President Wilson and Premier
Lloyd George visited Versailles In the
afternoon with Premier Clemenceau to
inspect the arrangements for the cere-
mony of signing the peace treaty.
Premier Clemenceau, president Of
the peace conference, left Versailles
to make final arrangements for the
signing of the treaty with Germany.
No word has been received from Wei
mar relative to the German plenipoten-
tiaries at Versailles. The date of the
ceremony Of signing the treaty has
not yet been fixed, but the belief is
gaining ground that 1t will occur
Thursday, or possibly Friday.
Long months of strain during the
peace negotiations and weeks of doubt,
whether Germany would accept the
conditions offered or would invite by
her refusal of them further inva-
sion Of her country ended when note
announced Germany's unconditional
acceptance was delivered to, the SUI.
preme council Of the conference.
Wilson Favors Simple Ceremony.
Plans for the ceremony attending
the signature Of the treaty were con-
sdered by the supreme council. 1t Is
known that President Wilson favors
making 1t as simple as is consistent with
the nature of the events, and the orig
inal plans for the conclusion Of the
"a nsasse q Nsfssil iss have been
materially modified at bis SUGGESTION
The plenipotentiaries will be seat
ed on raised dais in the center Of
the vast hall OF mirrors in the chateau
of Versailles upon which will be In
stalled the table upon which the treaty
will be signed. The program does not
contemplate any set addresses, but 1t
Is believed possible that both Premier
Clemenceau and the leading German
delegate may make short speeches.
The delegations will come to the table
when called up by Secretary Paul
Dutasta to affix their signatures oppo-
site the seals which will, prior to the
exent, be fixed to the instrument.
The announcement Of Germany's &C
ceptance of the treaty has thrown the
Hotel de Crillon, American headquar-
tiers, into wild confusion. Because OF
the uncertainty as to the date on
which the treaty will be signed, ex-
perts, officers and clerks who will re-
turn on the George Washington with
President Wilson have been ordered
to be ready to leave at once. Conse-
quently trunks, bookcases and military
bags have been tumbled into the cor
ridors In great disorder, and American
soldiers rushed about in an effort to
get baggage to stations as quickly as
possible, so that the personnel Of the
mission might be ready to leave at
once.
Mueller May Sign.
Herman Mueller, the new foreign
secretary, will head the German del
egation to sign the peace treaty, La
Liberte says. The Germans probably
will arrive at Versailles Wednesday
morning.
The supreme blockade council met
to decide on date when the block
ade of Germany should be lifted.
One element. It is understood, ia
yors the day when the treaty Is rati-
fed, but it is believed the council will
probably decide to lift the blockade
with the signing of the treaty.
Peace Delegate Resigns.
Weimar, June 25.-Dr Haniel Hahn
hansen, who was on Sunday desig-
mated as the German representative to
sign the treaty of peace, has telegraph
ed his resignation from Versailles
rather than attach his name to the In
strument.
The government Of the German re-
public has sent the following note to
M. Clemenceau, president of the peace
conference through DIR. Haniel Won
Hatmhausen