South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-05-11
yANK DOUGHBOYS
SEE VERSAILLES
SPOT OF HISTORY
Soldiers on Leave Visit Fam
GUS Room Where Germans
Are to Sign Treaty.

VERSAILLES. France. April s.
(By maiD-That much discussed
and still projected peace treaty has
already been signed. sealed and de-
liyered in spirit cores OF times from
the historic chateau here. II. indeed.
the good intentions Of hundreds or
energetic young American soldiers
count for anything. 1t would be dir
fcult 10 find a Yankee warrior who.
having got as near as Paris, has not
come 10 Versailles 10 express his APP
prevail or disapproval Of the place
where the real treaty viii be signed,
and 20 subscribe his name 10 a peace
document Of his own for the folk
back home. Having sought out the
wonderful Hall OF Mirrors. dough
boy and OFFICER alike invariably
make their way 70 the table upon
which II IS said the treaty viii be
signed, and with much mixing %
fingers from leaky pens indite post
card memorials which begin.
This is being written in the fam
Gus Hall or Mirrors in the Chateau
Of Versailles. upon the very table
etc. etc.
The doughbcy is by no means
nlone in his desire TO see the renown-
ed palace in which the world peace
will be concluded. Thousands OF
French people have been docking to
Versailles for many days on sight
seeing tours. In fact Versailles has
become a sort OF Mecca which d.
drawing the nationalities OF the
world who wish 20 Worship at the
shrine OF peace.
Prepare for Delegates.
All the pre-war s~plendors are
rapidly returning 10 The palace un-
der the practiced hands OF expert
workmen who are ~renovating the
vast halls and replacing the price
less relics for the advent Of the
peace delegates. When the Germans
were threatening Paris the Chateau
was stripped Of an portable valu-
ables which were taken 20 Bordeaux
and other places for safe keeping.
During the past few days ancient
tapestries OF untold value and fur
niture worth the ransom OF a king
have been re~appearing in their ac-
customed pieces, and the dust OF
many months has been cleared away
from walls and floors.
Today being Sunday people hock-
ed 70 Versailles in great numbers
for il was the first really sunshiny
holiday Of the season. Hundreds OF
American officers. doughboys and
nurses were among the pilgrims
who filed the huge Chateau ana
overran the lawns and already green
woods Of the beautiful grounds.
The doughboy for nee was seeing
something which had no counter
part at home. The WOODWORK build
ing was higher but-well. they
could hardly be compared after all,
they were so different. His first im-
preston was one OF amazement ar
the grandeur. and the thought
came 70 him: What a lot OF money
Il must have cost" Then he got in-
terested in art for arts sake.
Hall OF Mirrors Attracts.
The Hall Of Mirrors. where the
treaty will be signed. held him long.
as he gazed in awe al the myriad re-
Elections and the superb decorations
Of the ceiling. He found his Nay 20
the exact spot where I'm 1871 stood
the dais from which the founda-
ton OF the German empire was pro-
claimed, and heard his guide say
that for reasons q sentiment the
table upon which the treaty Hil He
signed would probably be located n
the same place.
The great hall. -he doLehooy Was
told. VIII be reserved for the trea.r
makers. but the ceremony VIII De-
witnessed from adjoining rooms Hv
members Of the press from MANY
countries and by some Distinguish
guests. The wife Of PRIEST wilson
VIII probably be one OF those HlO
will see the president and otLe-
delegates place their names ~ tn-
most important document ~ h-
tory.
DOughboy sees Everything
There was little hat the dough-
boy didn't see today. The apart-
ments OF King Louis the 18th. ANA
the council chamber Of that mon
arch and his successors. all az which
VIII be used for conference pure
poses. proved attractive 20 his Im-
aginative mind. The b0udolr OIL
Madame de Maintenon. which also
is 20 be sacrificed 90 commitree
work. drew many wise shakl1gs OF
the head from the doughboy. who
said little but looked as though ne
could tell a great deal about POI