Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1919-07-03
SIMPLE CEREMONIES MARK SIGNING
OF PEACE TREATY AT VERSAILLES
Signature Affixed Historic Hall Nearly Half Century
Before Humbed France Acknowledged Defeat at
Hands of Her German Adversaries
BECAUSE OF SHANTUNG SETTLEMENT CHINESE DO NOT SIGN
World War Finally Ended Eaving Lasted Just Twenty
Seven Days Less Than Five Years. Conditions of 1871
Exactly Reversed; Germans Enter Protest Against
Fanced Indignities.

The delegates OF the minor powers
made their way with difficulty through
the crowd to their places at the table.
Officers and civilians lined the walls
and filled the aisles. President Will
sons arrival 10 minutes before the
hour for signing was greeted by a
faint burst Of applause from the few
persons who were able to see him.
The German correspondents were
ushered into the hall shortly before
3 o'clock and were given standing
room in window at the rear Of the
correspondents section.
When Premier Lloyd George arriv-
ed many of the delegates sought auto
graphs from the members Of the coun-
Gil OF four, and they busted themselves
signing copies Of the official program
until the Germans entered the room.
At O'Clock hush fell over the hall,
and the crowds shouted for the Off
cials who were standing to sit down,
so as not to block the view. The del
egates showed some surprise at the
disorder, which did not cease until
all the spectators had either seated
themselves or found places against
the wall
At seven minutes past 8 o'clock
DR.. Hermann Mueller, the German
secretary for foreign affairs, and DIR.
Bell, the colonial secretary, were
shown into the hail. and quietly took
their seats at the left end of the u
shaped table. They showed compo-
sure, and manifested none of the un-
easiness which Count Won Brockdorff-
Rantzau. head Of the German peace
delegation, displayed when handed the
treaty at Versailles.
M Clemenceau, as president of the
conference, made q brief speech in
viting the Germans to sign the treaty
and there was a tense pause. Will
liam Martin, master Of ceremonies, af-
ter moments delay. escorted the
German plenipotentiaries to the sigma
tory table, where they signed the
treaty, the protocol and the Polish un-
dertaking.
After the Germans had signed, Pres
ident Wilson, followed by the other
American delegates, made his way to
the table and he and the others speed
lily affixed their signatures Premier
Lloyd George came next with the Eng
lish delegation. The British domin-
ions followed-Canada, Australia, New
Zealand, South Africa and India. In
the order named.
A murmur Of surprise passed
hn ha1
known that General Smuts, represent
ing South Africa, signed under pro-
test and filed document declaring
that the peace was unsatisfactory.
M. Clemenceau and the French del.
egates were the next in line for the
signing. and Baron Sonnino and the
| other Japanese delegates. The Ital-
ians came after the Japanese. and
they. in turn. were followed by the
representatives Of the smaller powers.
During the attaching Of the sigma
lures OF the great powers and the
Germans battery Of moving picture
machines and cameras clicked away
so audibly that they could be heard
above the general disorder
Cannon Boom.
At 3:45 the booming OF cannon in
celebration of the peace broke the
monotony in the hall of mirrors, where
the crowd had tired of the almost end
less signing.
China's failure to send her dele
gates to the ceremony created much
comment. The vacant seats of the
Chinese were noted early in the pro-
ceedings, but it was expected that the
delegates would arrive later. Then
the report was circulated officially
that the Chinese would not sign with.
out reservation on Shantung, and
would issue statement this evening
on their position. M. Clemenceaus
announcement that the ceremony was
at an end made it clear that China in
tended to have no part in the days
ceremonies and that she must be dealt
with by letter il the signatories are
willing to grant her the privilege of
making the reservation.