South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-05-08
DESCRIBES SCENE
AS GERMANS ARE
GIVEN DOCUMENT
Foe Delegates HumiIiated,
But Want Place As Equals,
Says Ferguson.
BY FRED s. FERGUSON.

by ulltu j EtNS
VERSAILLES. May 7.-Humilia-
ton, defeat, tragedy-all the darker
emotions possible TO human ex-
pression-then obsequious admission
of their wrongs; and finally defiance
and claim of a place as equals. That
represents the range OF the Ger
mans emotions In their first appear
ance at Versailles since 1871
Deepest silence reigned in the
conference room at the Trianon
Palace hotel this afternoon after
the allied delegates had been seat
ed.
As the doors opened. signalling
the approach OF the enemy repre-
sentatives an usher, respondent in a
blue uniform, preceded them and
cried:
"Messieurs les Plenipotentiaries
de TAllemagne!"
Count Brockdorff- -Rantzau, his
face ashen white and his eyes rim
med with dark circles, was the CEN
ter of the German group. His hands
were clasped in front at arms length
and he slowly bowed his head. Il
was not a bow OF greeting. but one
of abject resignation.
listen Unmovcd.
The Germans took their seats and
listened with unchanged expression
TO Premier Clemenceau's speech.
When Brockdorff- -Rantzau rose to
reply his hands trembled. His voice
was husky and uncertain. The Ger
man interpreters initiated their own
system Of translating by sentences.
AS he progressed the count be-
came more certain of himself and
his voice grew stronger. The attache
who translated his words into Eng
lish bitterly emphasized his thrusts
at the allies.
1t was apparent that some of the
delegates had been prepared TO be
bored, but as the speech progressed
a buzz of conversation passed
around the table where the allied
delegates sat Expressions Of sur
prise appeared on some faces. Glenn
enceau showed open displeasure at
some passages. But not muscle or
Pres't Wilson's face moved as refer
ence was made TO the IA points and
the league of nations.
Meeting AdjOurns.
When Brockdorff-R -Rantzau had
finished, Clemenceau arose and sim
ply announced that the meeting was
adjourned.
When Brockdorff- Rantzau left
the room he was paler than ever
and his face pictured supreme
tragedy. mixed with desperation.
Followed by his fellow delegates
he approached the peck ROOM
handed in his hat check and wait
ed absolutely motionless for fully
three minutes while the attendants
collected his belongings. His eX-
preston did not change an iota.
When he started for the waiting
automobile he slowly took out his
cigaret case, took a proffered light
and entered his car.
All the allies remained in their
seats until the Germans had left
the hotel.
a bound copy OF the treaty. with
conditions Of peace" printed on the
cover was at all places except those
occupied by the Germans. When the
delegates mad assembled, Sec'y Du-
tasta handed Observation-Disclosures
a copy Of the pact but the latter
made no move to open it during
Clemenceau's speech.
DiDlomatists Gather.
Refore the session opened the ho-
tel was filled with a brilliant as
semblage OF soldiers and diplomat
lists. Marshal FOch gossiped with
other famous military leaders and
later sat with the French delega-
ton. The Italian delegates were
cordially greeted by their conferees
when they arrived and took their
place at the table. The German
newspaper correspondents entered
the conference room hall an hour
before the meeting was called TO or
der and Immediately began making
copious notes.
CIcmenceau Opens Meeting.
In open.ng the session Of the
peace conference NJ Clemenceau.
the presiding officer. speaking 10
the German plenipotentiaries said:
1t is unnecessary to express need
less words. You have before you the
pIenipotentiaries OF the small and
great powers united in this most
cr.el war. which was imposed upon
CONTINUED on PAGE TEN)