Gilpin observer., 1919-07-03
ALLIED CHIEFS ARE cHEEREp
BY VAST CROWDS AT
VERSAILLES.
SIGNED AND SEALED
GERMAN DELEGATES PROTEST
AGAINST LACK OF coUR-
TEsY,

was signed ana sealed IN rnS nUroFe
hall of mirrors at Versailles June %,
but under circumstances which some
what dimmed the expectations Of
those who had worked and fought
during long years of war and months
Of negotiations for its achievement.
Germany and the allied and asso-
ciated powers signed the peace terms
III the same imperial hall where tho
Germans humbled the French SO igno-
minously forty-eight years ago.
This formally ended the world war
which lasted just thirty-seven days
less than five years. Today, the day
Of peace, il the fifth anniversary Of
the murder Of Archduke Frances
Ferdinand at Seraievo.
The ceremony Of signing the peace
terms was brief. Premier Clemen-
ceau called the session to order in the
Hall of Mirrors Of the Chateau Of
Versailles at 8 10 o'clock The signing
began when DR.. Hermann Mueller
and Johannes Bell, the German sigma
tories, affixed their names.
The German correspondents were
ushered into the hall shortly before
8 o'clock and were given standing
room in q window at the rear Of the
correspondents section.
When Premier Lloyd George ar
rived many Of the delegates sought
autographs from the members of the
council Of four, and they busted them
selves signing copies of the official
program until the Germans entered
the room.
At 3 o'clock hush fell over the
hall and the crowds shouted for the
officials who were standing to sit
down so AZ not to block the view.
The delegates showed some surprise
at the disorder, which did not cease
until all spectators either had seated
themselves or found places against
the walls.
At seven minutes past DIR. Her
mann Mueller, the German secretary
for foreign affairs, and DIR. Bell, the
colonial secretary, were shown into
the hall and quietly took seats at the
left end OF the U-shaped table. They
showed composure and manifested
none of the uneasiness Count Won
Brockdorff- Rantzau, head of the Ger
man peace delegation, displayed when
handed the treaty at Versailles.
NJ. Clemenceau, as president of the
conference, made q brief speech in
viting the Germans to sign the treaty,
and there was tense pause. WILL
lam Martin, master of ceremonies,
after moments delay, escorted the
German plenipotentaries to the sig
natory table, where they signed the
treaty. the protocol and the Polish
undertaking. Because Of the confu-
sion and the crowd, the signing lost
much Of its expected dignity.
After the Germans had signed,
President Wilson, followed by the
other American delegates, made his
way to the table and he and the
others speedily affixed their sigma
lures. Premier Lloyd George came
next with the English delegation. The
British dominions followed-Canada,
Australia, New Zealand, South Africa
and India in the order named.
A murmur of surprise passed around
the hall when 1t became known that
General Smuts, representing South
Africa, signed under protest and filed
a document declaring that the peace
was unsatisfactory.
NJ. Clemenceau, with the French
delegates, were the next in line for
the signing, and then Baron Saionji
and the other Japanese delegates. The
Italians came after the Japanese and
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 clicking away
could be heard above the general dis
order.
At 3 :45 o'clock the booming Of can
non in celebration Of the peace broke
the monotony In the hall of mirrors.
where the crowd had tired of the al