Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1919-05-14
German Delegates to Peace Con-
gresS Complain Bitterly of
Conditions of Pact.
CALL FOE ENJOYS lMPUDENTD
Premier Hughes of Australia Declares
the Attitude of Count Rantzau
Was an lntolerabIe Insult to
the Conference.

Versailles, May 9.-The German del
egates to the peace congress COM
planned bitterly to one of the French
liaison officers of the unexpected harsh
ness of the conditions of peace. The
delegates said they had expected from
the newspaper reports that the de-
mands in many respects would be far
reaching but were not prepared for
the terms as actually laid down in the
printed copy of the document.
Hun ENJOYS mpudent.
London, May 9-After the confer
ence at Versailles William A. Hughes,
premier of Australia, said, according
to a Reuter- dispatch: "The attitude of
Count Won Brockdorff- Rantzau was an
intOlerable insult to the conference,
for, while Premier Clemenceau spoke
standing, the German spokesman did
not rise while making his address. In
spite of their intolerable arrogance this
has been day of humiliation for the
Germans which we could see had en-
tered into their souls"
William F. Massey, premier of New
Zealand, said: "The Germans were
more impudent and aggressive than
anything I have ever met"
After the conference, the dispatch
states, the fact that the members of
the council of four did not appear made
the crowd anxious, but it transpired
they were holding meeting and short
ly after 4 80 o'clock President Wilson
departed, looking serious but smiling.
He saluted the crowd as he went to his
automobile. A little later the appear
ance of NJ. Clemenceau was a signal
for the first great wave of cheering
of the day Premier Orlando also re-
ceived an ovation, but Premier Lloyd
George, the latest to leave, is said to
have been given a more generous re-
ception from the throng.
Describing the scene at the Trianon
palace when the terms of peace were
handed to the German delegation, a
Paris dispatch to the Central News
says that Premier Clemenceau stood
while making his address, but that
Count Won Brockdorff- Rantzau, the
spokesman of the Germans, wearing
big horn spectacles, remained seated
while he read his speech, which was
translated sentence by sentence.
Germans Look Stern.
AS the German foreign minister pro-
| ceeded with increasing decision, the
dispatch says that it was interesting to
note the demeanor of. the assembly.
| The Germans seemed to stiffen their
| bodies and with folded arms they sat
stern and silent by Count Won Brock
| dorff- Rantzau's side. While the speak
err was admitting the acceptance of de-
| feat and the obligation of reparation
| those watching the German delegates
saw that they turned their eyes in
| other directions.
While the address was proceeding
only Premier Clemenceau and Presi-
| dent Wilson appeared unconcerned,
| the latter leaning back in his chair,
with his hands in his pockets. On con-
Guiding his speech Count Won Brock
dorff -Rantzau replaced his spectacles
In their case, spread his hands upon
the table and waited.
Discuss German Reply.
It was clear, the dispatch says, that
his attitude created a deep impression
upon the delegates. Premier Clemen-
ceau Immediately rose and in couple
of sharp sentences brought the pro-
| ceedings to a close. Subsequently Pre-
mier CIemenceau, President Wilson,
Mr.. Lloyd George and Premier Orlan-
do met in an adjoining room, doubtless
| to discuss the German reply.
| During the meeting, Marshal Foch
sat apparently not needing the pro-
ceedings. Nursing his chin in his hand,
he never loked toward the German del
egates, his gaze apparently travelling
| through the great windows to the beau
| tiful country beyond.