Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-01-19
ALLIED STATESMEN
HEAR ADDRESS OF
FRENCH PRESIDENT
Mr.. Wilson, Premier Lloyd
George and Baron
Sonnino Speak.
LEAGUE OF NATIONS
UP AT NEXT SESSION
Premier of France Says Ques-
ton of Wars Responsibility
Will Come First.
HAS REPORT ON EN-EMpERoH
American Executive Warmly Praises
the Tiger" In Nominating Him,
to BE Presiding Officer.
HAS REPORT ON EN-EMpERon
rBy Associated Press.l


FAIRS. January 1S-The peace CON
ference, destined to be- historic, AMI.
on winch the eyes OF the world are
now conferred, was opened this after
noon III the great Sale de la Patx
me proceedings. which were confined
TO the election of Georges Clemenccau
the French Premier, as permanent
chairman ot The conference, an address
of welcome by the President of the
French republic. Raymond Poincare.
and speeches by President Wilson.
Premier Lloyd George and Baron Som
nino. were characterized by express
sicns Of lasting friendship and the
apparent determination OF the repre-
sentatres OF the various nations to
come TO an amcable understanding
win respect to the problems to be de-
cide.l by the. conference. -
hen PRESIDENT Poincare spoke the 4
cntire assembly stood and the fact
.hat. according TO custom. no applause
greeted his utterances gave greater
solemnity to the scene.
Nj. Clemenceau's acceptance OF nths6i
nE,einiaehcy OF the congress was both}a$
teelihg expression OF personal graft
questions Immediately ahead. Three
defined nas IS foSF
war trnd International labor legislasS
ton: The League of M ions. he de A
tluTeu. WaS mt the mead OF the tprO-Si
gram for the next full session, - sE:sysss
"AMBITION rs A GREAT AND 80
NOBLE ONE" SAYS CLEMENCEAEl
our ambition is n great and nobleg
one" said NJ. Clemenceau. I've wish
TO avoid repetition OF the catnstrophei
which bathed the world in blood. To-
The league Of nations is to be practical
we must all remain united. Let us
an effective manner" H3i
Referring to the authors of the war.
he Sid he had consulted two eminent
iurists on the penal responsibility or
the former German Emperor. and each
delegate would receive q copy OF that
report.
In all seyenty-two seats were pro-
vtded for the opening session Of the
Of the great horseshoe were arranged
the Japanese. the British and colonial
delegates and the. seat Of the hfth
American delegate also was reserved
Immediately TO the right OF the table
or honor. 81
|. The Italian. Belgian. BRAZILIAN,
Cuban. Haitian. Peruvian. Portuguese.
Serbian. Czecho- Slovakian and Uru--
gnay nn d snsgat sat in tho order
table sat the Siamcsc. Roumanian,
Polish. Liberian. Hedja1. Guatema Ian.
Ecuadorean, Chinese and Bolivian dele
GWIENTAi.S AMONG FIRST
DELEGATES TO ARRIVE
AS the delegations arrived they were
met ny taulareS or trumpctS ana
corded military honors by tho troons.
Tho Japanese we're among the carIicr
arrivals. and were followed by tho
S:anesc and l;as; Indians In piG-
PRESIDENT Wilson'S arrival at $50
o'clock WAS tho signal fo- u demon.
siration from tho crowds The Presi-
dent passed INFO tho ante chambcr.
where NJ Pichon, the French Foreign
Minister. awaited and conducted him
10 the council room.
Already the chambc- was crowded
with delegates. who greeted PRESIDENT
Wilson warmly as he PASSED toward
Ehc table Of hnnor. Here he was
> %n,,d by S S;.n. ,, lansing Ar
PRESIDENT rOiNCtRE
ESCORTED ny pRI;MIETtS
Just at o'clock ruffic of drums
and blarc OF trumpcts announced tho s
approach Of NJ. poincarc The French
President was escorted by the group
Of P.rmicrs to thC head OF tho table.
1t was exactly 1905 o'clock when N
roincarc began his address. and tho
peace congress camc into being. Tho
entire asscmbaCc stood as the Presi-
immediately at his right and listened
attcntivcly. NJ. l'oincare spoke in an
earnest. easy manner without dcciam-
atory effect. and. following usage.
there was no applause or interruptions
NJ roincare spoke In French. and
When he had concluded an interpreter
FRENCH PRESIDENT
RETIItI:S AFTER SPEAKING:
As NJ Hoiucarc closed. he turned TO
receive the congratulations Of presi-
dent Wilson and premier Lloyd George.
and then withdrew. greeting each
delegation as lie retired.
President Wilson rose as NJ. Toincare \
made his exit lit gives me great
pleasure" he said, 30 propose rs per-
manent chairman OF the conference NJ
clemcnccau.'
President Wilson spoke III CONVERSE
tional voice. which. however, carried
throughout the chamber. as he paid
eloquent tribute to the French Premier
LLOYD GEORGE SECONDS
NOMINATION. OF CLEMESCEAu
Premier Lloyd George seconded the
nomination of MIR. Clemenccau speak
ing earnestly OF tho distinguished SER
vices the French Premier had rendered
in war and peace,
Garon Sonnino. the Italian Foreign
Minister, added 1taly's tribute, where's
upon the election OF NJ. Clemenceau
as presiding officer was made unanI,
Eiously.
In n feeling address NJ. Ciemencsau
acknowledged the honor conferred upon
him. He turned frst to President
Lloyd George for the tribute ne had
paid him. II WAS not alone tribute
to him. he said. hut to Franco. a9s2
VIC have come together as trtcnds,