Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-06-24
STAGE SET FOR LAST
ACT AT VERSAILLES
Clemenceau, Wilson and Lloyd
George Inspect Arrangements
for Treaty Signing
PARIS CELEBRATES PEACE


cesu, President Wilson and Premier
Lloyd George visited the Versailles
palace this afternoon to inspect the ar
rangements for the ceremony Of signing
the peace treaty.
The announcement during the morn,
ing of the councils decision to refuse
further extension of time in which Cor
many might answer lnaugurat"d day
of extreme tension. II was generally
known to the public and conference
diplomats that only few hours sep
arated them from the portcntOus Nc
cision. The first light cam" in press
dispatch from Weimar about noon, stat
ing that Germany had decided to yield,
but nothing was heard from Versailles
until shortly after g p. m,
A telephone message from Versailles
then announced the arrival of the Ger
man reply. which was known to IA few
Of the initiated to be favorable.
Americans Hear News First
The first definite announcement how
ever. was made to American Corrc
spondents at the French press head
quarters at Quai d'Orsay nj 30
o'clock. il being stated that an atirma
tive reply had been delivered to Colonel
Henry. liaison officer between III" Ger
mans and the peace conference. who was
bringing it to Paris by automobile.
It was not long after tn" reply had
been received and opened before the
supreme council that guns began to
boom from the forts around Paris and
rejoicing crowds began to stream
through the streets. having been an
prised by the sound of cannon that the
Germans had accepted the allied terms.
Allied flags were flung out as if by
magic from windows. Church bells
throughout the city were nealing every %
where and cheering animated throngs
gave evidence Of the JOY with which the
Partisan crowds welcomed the end of
the long years OF agony and tension.
The celebration soon assumed a more
tuuultuous character and by s o'clock
in the evening Paris seemed bent on in
duIpinp in an excited demonstration OF
ioy. Bands Of students had taken pos %
session of the German trophy cannons
ranged on either side of Champs Elysccs
from the Arch Of Triumph to Place de Ia
Concorde. and were dragging them in a
procession through the city, each can
non carving its burden of cheering
youths. Special editions of newspapers,
with huge captions. Peace has come.
were snatched from news sellers by OK
cited Parisians going home from work
Celebrations over the German dcci
sion to sign the treaty Of peace were
nowhere more enthusiastic than at Lille
and other cities and towns in tCrritor.
urested from the Germans.
n Warships Fire SaIutes
Newspapers printed special editions
cheering crowds paraded the streets anC
the houses were decked with allied flags
At Toulon, Brest and other naval ports
varships announced the news to the
people by firing salutes of twenty ont
runs. In all the cities government
buildings were illuminated.
High carnival reigned in the bouIe
Yards far into the night and scenes en-
aCteQ at tue time VI JHt dlllllNliNt NtI
repeated and indeed intensified. Dens
throngs swayed back and forth, shout
ing. singing and waving flags. Motor
trucks loaded with American soldier
armed with all kinds of noise producin
apparatus threaded their way througl
the masses. From the windows o
packed cafes foated patriotic strains
the orchestras playing tirelessly, urge
on by the revelers.
Women in mourning, TO whom tn
official end Of the war brought remem
brances only of wooden crosses, wer
observed here and there in the nois.
crowds weeping silently.
The plenipotentiaries will be seate,
on a raised dais in the center of tn
vast Hall of Mirrors in the Chateau o
Versailles. upon which will be installed
the table upon which the treaty will b
signed. The program does not con
template any set addresses, but it is be
lieved possible that both Premie
Clemenceau and the leading GermaI
delegate may make short speeches. TIL
delegations will come to the table whe
called upon by Secretary Paul Dutast
to atfix their signature opposite the seal
which will, prior to the event, be fixe
to the instrument.