Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-01-20
Conference Opens
fCont;pued from Pare Cnol

CONTINUED from Page Onel
one" said NJ. Clemenceau. I'VE wish
to avoid repetition Of the catas-
trophe which bathed the world in
blood. If the league of nations Is
10 be practicable we must all remain
united. Let US carry out our pro-
gram quickly and in an effective
manner"
Referring to the authors Of the
war. he said nc had consulted two
eminent jurists on the penal respon-
sibili,y of the former German en-
peror and each delegate would re-
ceive 4 copy Of that report.
In all p seats were provided for the
opening session Of the peace conference.
shoe were arranged the Japanese. the
British and Colonial delegates and the
seat Of the fifth British delegate. n
chair for the fifth American delegate
also was reserved Immediately to the
right Of the table Of honor.
TIE Italian. Belgian. Brazilian. Cuban.
Haitian. Peruvian. Portuguese. Serbian.
Clccho-Slovakan and trugIayan dele
gates sat in the order named. Across
the left wing OF the table sat the
Siamese, Rumanan, Polish. 1.iberian.
lIedjaZ. Guatemalan. Ecudorean. CHI
nese and Bolivian delegations.
AS the delegations arrived -ney were
met by fanfares of trumpets and ac-
corded military honors by the troops.
The Japanese were among the earlier
arrivals and were followed by the
Siamese and East indians in pictur-
esque turbans.
President Wilson's arrival at 70 min
utes of three was the signal for DEM
onstration from the crowds. The Pres
where NJ Pichon, the French foreign
minister. wanted and conducted him %
the council room.
Already the chamber was crowded
with delegates. who greeted Presiden.
Wilson warmly as he passed toward the
table of honor. Here he was Joined by
Secretary Lansing. Mr.. White and Gen
eraI Bliss and exchanged greetings
with the British and many other dele
gates
Just at 2 O'Clock ruf1fe Of drums and
hlare OF tru!npets announced tine APP
proach OF NJ. roincare. The French
President was escorted BY the group
OF p-emiers to the head OF the table.
while a hush fell. upon the assemblage
as the moment arrived for the opening
of the conference.
" was exactly three minutes past
three Wien NJ. .Foincare began his
address AID the peace congress came
int" being. The entire asseinblage
stod as the President spoke. Presi-
dent Wilson stod Immediately 4. his
right and listened attentivc!y. NJ
Toincare spoke in an earnest, easy
manner. without declamatorv effect
and following usage there was no ,p-
plausc OF interruption.
NJ. Poincare spoke in French AMI
when he had concluded an interprete.
or read the Presidential discourse In
English
AS NJ. Poincare closed he turnl.l
I" receive the congratulations of
President Wilson and Premier Llovi-
{
each delegation as he retired.
1T gives ME great pleasure" lie
said. ito propose as permanent chair
man of tie conference NJ. Clemen-
ceau."
President Wilson spoke in CONVEX
sational voice. which, however, car
premier.
rieG throughout the chamber as M
paid eloquent tribute to the French
Premier I.loydGeorge seconded the
nomination of NJ. Clemenceau, speak
ing earnestly If the distinguished
services the French premier had rem
dered in war and peace.
Baron Sonnino. the Italian foreign
minister, added Italy's tribute. where
upon the election of NJ Clemenceau
as presiding officer was made una Il
imuus.
In feeling address NJ. Clemenceau
acknowledged the honor conferred
upon him. He turned first to Pras-
iaent Wilson and bowed his thanks,
then to Mr.. Lloyd-George for the
tribute each had paid him. 1t was
not alone tribute to him. he said.
but to France.
we have come together as
friends" he exclaimed. I'VE must
leave this hail as friends"
Referring to the league of nations.
NJ. Clemenceau declared it was al
ready in the way of being achieved by
the gathering of this conference.
lie then turned to the program Of
the conference. which he said covered
the following main subjects of gen.
eral order:
First responsibility of the authors
of the var: second. responsibility for
the crimes committed during the
war: third. legislation in regard to
international labor.
Al 1.-The powers REPRESENTED would
be invited to present memoirs on
those three questions. The powers
having particular interest, NJ. Glenn
enceau continued. would be asked to
present further memoirs upon terri
torial, financial and economical ques-
tons