Imperial Valley press., 1919-06-28
(By Associated PressJ


/ treatv was signed today
Proceedings were begun at $40 and
! formally closed at 3:49.
The Germans stoned first, complet-
ing their act at 3:13.
| The Americans, led by Wilson, came
next and the British followed.
Three hundred and forty-four can
ncn began to boom, announcing the
completion of the ceremony, although
! the smaller nations were still sign
ing in alphabetical order at that time,
| The Chinese did not sign and were
net present. They wrote to Premier
/ Clemenceau stating they would not
, be present and that they were await
ing instructions from their govern
ment.
General John Christian Smuts, one
of the Union of South Africa dele
pates. signed under protest. He OBJ
jected to the territorial settlements
and made lengthy statement. He
said the indemnities stipulated could
not be accepted without grave injur-
les to the industrial revival of Eu-
rope. He declared it would be to the
interest Of the Allied powers to rem
der the stipulations more tolerable
and moderate.
Beside the table upon which rested
the treaty were two tables. one for
the Rhine convention and the other
for the protocol containing changes
in and interpretations of the treaty
The Germans, Americans, 8elgians,
British and French signed the Rhine
arrangements.
The protocol was signed by all who
signed the treaty.
A madly-cheering crowd was swept
aside by the troops as Clemenceau,
/ Wilson and Lloyd George emerged
from the palace As the three swent
along by the surging crowds, many
soldiers joined in the demonstration.
Guns doomed and low-flying aero
planes seemed to fill the air.
The Germans left the hall first.
President Wilson entered the Hall
of Mirrors at $50.
All the Allied delegates were seat
ed there except the Chinese.
The Germans entered at :. Glenn
enceau put the direct question to the
Germans whether they were willing to
sign and execute Loyalty all the
terms. A few minutes before 3:15
enlisted men from the American, Brit
.ish and French armies entered the
hall amid decorous cheers.
Hours before the time of the cere-
mony a seemingly endless stream of
automobiles began moving up the
cannon-lined hill of the Champs Ely
sees carrying plenipotentiaries, off
cials and guests to the ceremonv
Clemenceau, Lloyd George and Will
son left for Paris in the same auto
mobile, followed by a cheerinp crowd.
The route to the peace table for
the plenipOtentiarie was through the
space reserved for 400 privileged
guests. 1t had been arranged that
the delegates, instead of struggling
in without order as when the orig
inal terms were communicated to
Germany, should enter by groups,
each one being formally announced
by ushers from the French Foreign
Office
This formality was not prescribed
for the Germans, who were given
separate route of entry, thus avoid
ing occasion for the guard of honor
to render them military honors, these
being reserved for the Allied repre-
sentatives.
The historical furnishings and paint
ings within the Hall of Mirrors gave
tone of impressive state which
otherwise would have been lacking
in an assemblage so soherly attired.
Premier Clemenceau in opening the
session said:
"The Allied and Associated powers,
on one side, and the German commits
sion, on the other, have come to an
agreement on conditions of peace
The treaty has been completed and
drafted, and the president of the con-
ference has stated in writing that the