Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-06-24
FRANCE WILD
WITH JOY AS
FOE ACCEPTS
People Break Bonds of
Years of Tension and
Celebrate Peace.

Paris, Monday, June 23.-CBy the
Associated Press LONG months
of strain during the peace negotia-
tiOns and weeks of doubt whether
Germany would accept the condi-
tions offered or would invite by ner
refusal of them a further invasion
of her country ended late this aft
ernoon when a note announcing
Germany's unconditional accept
ance was delivered to the supreme
council of the conference.
The announcement during rne
early morning of the councils de-
cision to refuse a further extension
of time in which Germany might
answer inaugUrated a day of eX-
treme tension. 1t was generally
known to the public and conference
diplomats that only few hours
separated them from the porten-
tious decision. The first light came
in a press dispatch from Weimar
aobut noon stating that Germany
had decided to yield, but nothing
was heard from Versailles until
shortly after 5 o'clock p. m. A teIe-
phone message from Verailles then
announced the arrival of the Ger
man reply which it was known to
few of the initiated, was favorable.
Guns Boom Peace.
The first definite announcement
was made to American correspond
ents at the French press headquar-
ters at Quia d. Orsay at 4:50
O'Clock, it being stated that an al
firmative reply had been delivered
to ColOney Henry, lasion officer be-
tween the Germans and the peace
conference, who was bringing it to
Paris by automobile. 1t was not
long after the reply had been re-
ceived and opened before the su-
preme council that guns began to
boom from the forts around Paris,
'and rejoicing crowds began TO
stream through the streets, having
been apprised by the sound of can
non that the Germans have ac-
cepted the allied terms" Allied
flags were flung out as if by magic.
ThrOngs Mad With Joy.
Automobiles filled with cheering
doughboys and frantic potlus
dashed through the streets. Bells
throughout the city were peaIlng
everywhere, and cheering, animated
throngs gave evidence of the joy
with which the crowds ended the
long years of agony and tension.
The celebration soon assumed
more tumultuous character and by
S o'clock in the evening Paris seem
ed bent on indulging in an excIted
demonstration of joy. Bands of
students had taken possession of the
German trophy cannon ranged on
either side of Champs Elysees from
the Arch of Triumph to Place d. La
ConcOrde and were dragging them i'll
a procession through the city, eacn
cannon carrying its burden of
cheering youths. Special editions of
newspapers with huge captions:
Peace has come" were snatcheed
from news sellers by excited Paris
lens going home from work
Lille Celebrates.
Celebrations over the German
decision to sign the treaty of peace
without reservations were no
where more enthusiastic than at
Lille and other cities and towns in
territory wrested from the Ger
mans
Newspapers printed special edi-
tions. cheering crowds paraded the
streets and the houses were deck
ed with allied flags. At Toulon,
Brest and other naval ports war
ships announced the news to the
people by firing salutes of 81 guns.
In all the cities government build
ings were Illuminated.
In Paris, the city hall was bril-
liantIy lighted. and in the square
before it and in other open spaces
jazz bands appeared and informal
balls began only to be stopped by
poilus who declared
that dancing was not authorized
except on July IA. The news was
announced in all theatres and mo-
ton picture houses tonight, the
bands striking up the allied an
thems amidst the roars of the |
audiences.
High Carnival Reigns. :
High carnival reigned in the |
boulevards far into the night and
scenes enacted at the time of the |
armistice were repeated and indeed |
Dense throngs swayed |
back and forth, showing, singing
and waving flags. Motor trucks /
loaded with American soldiers |
armed with all kinds of noise pro-
ducing apparatus, threaded their |
way through the masses. From |
the windows of packed cafes float
ed patriotics trains, the orchestras |
playing tire1essly, urged on by the |
jewellers.
Wednesday has been declared a |
general school holiday in celebra- |
tion of the signing of the peace |
treaty.