New-York tribune., 1919-06-25
Peace Ne1us Starts
Cur'xaiUaL in Paris

ANANi'o, June Gt \Dy 1ne ASSOCIATED
Press) ).-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 further invasion of
her country ended late yesterday
afternoon when a note announcing
Germany's unconditional acceptance
was delivered to the supreme council
of the conference.
|Ihe announcement during the early
morning of the councils decision to
refuse further extension of time in
which Germany might answer, inau-
guratcd day of extreme tension. 1t
was generally known to the public and
conference diplomats that only few
hours separated them from the por-
tentous decision.
The first light came in a press dis
patch from Weimar about noon, stating
that Germany had decided to yield, but
nothing was heard from Versailles un-
til shortly after 3 p. m. A telephone
message from Versailles then an
nounced the arrival Of the German
reply, which, it was known to a few of
the initiated, was favorable.
Guns Signal Acceptance
The first definite announcement, was
made to American correspondents at
the French press headquarters at Quai
d'Orsay at 1850 o'clock, it being stated
that an affirmative reply had been de-
livered to Colonel Henry, liaison off,
Ger between the Germans and the
peace conference, who was bringing it
to Paris by automobile.
1t was not long after the reply had
been received by the supreme council
that guns began to boom from forts
about this city and rejoicing crowds be-
gar to stream through the streets.
magic from windows. Automobiles
loaded with cheering doughboys and
excited poilus dashed through the
thoroughfares. Church bells through
out the city were pealing everywhere
and cheering animated throngs gave
evidence of the JOY with which the
Partisan crowds welcomed the end Of
the long years OF agony and tension.
Celebration Lasts Late
The celebration soon assumed moro
tumultuous character and by s o'clock
in the evening Paris seemed bent on
indulging in an excited demonstration
Of joy. Bands of students had taken
possession of the German trophy cam
mons, ranged on either side of Champs
Elysees from the Arch of Triumph to
Place de la Concorde, and were drag
ging them in a procession through the
city, each cannon carrying its burden
Of cheering youths.
Special editions of newspapers, with
huge captions: "Peace Has Come
we're snatched from news sellers by
excited Parisians going home from
work.
The City Hall was brilliantly lighted
and i'll the square before it and
in other open spaces improvised
jazz bands appeared and informal
balls began, only to be stopped by un-
sympathetic poius, who declared that
dancing was not authorized except on
July a. The news was announced in
all theatres and motion picture houses
tonight, the bands striking up the
! Allied anthems amid the cheers of the
! audiences.
High Carnival Reigns
High carnival reigncd in the boule-
wards far into the night, and scenes
enacted at the time of the armisticc
We're repeated and, indeed, intensified
Dense throngs swayed back and forth
shouting, singing and waving flags
auto trucks loaded with American sol
diers armed with every noise producing
element making their way through the
masses.
From the windows Of packed cafes
foated patriotic strains, the orches-
tras playing tirelessly, urged on by the
jewellers. Women in mourning, to whom
the official end of the war Brought re-
membranccs Of those to whom the
struggle had brought but wooden
crosses, were observed here and there
in the noisest crowds. weeping silently
Celebration's were nowhere more en-
thusiastic than at Lille and other cities
and towns in territory wrested from the
Germans. Newspapers printed special
editions, cheering crowds paraded the
streets and the houses were decked
with Allied flags. At Toulon, Brest
and other naval ports, warships an
nounced the news to she people by fir
ing salutes Of twcnty-one guns. In all
the cities government buildings were
Illuminated.