The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1919-07-03
GERMANS SIGN
PEACE TREATY
AT VERSAILLES
Wilson, CIemenceau and Lloyd
George Also Atfix Sigma
lures to Document.
HALL OF MIRRORS SCENE
Signing of Document Formally Brings
TO Close the Worlds Greatest War
Ceremony, Although Simple,
Was Most Impressive.

Was Most Impressive.
Versailles. June 2s.-The peace
treaty has been signed.
The world war, which for more
than four years ravaged the greater
part Of Europe, was ended officially
at 8 :45 o'clock today, when cannon
doomed, announcing that the last
plenipotentiary to the conference had
affixed his signature TO the peace
treaty.
The delegates, in addition to sign
ing the world peace treaty, also af-
fixed their signature TO the Rhine
protocol and the Polish undertaking,
Germans First TO Sign.
The meeting-epochal in the worlds
hlstory-in the Hall of Mirrors in the
Chateau Louis NV, began at $40
o'clock, and the German delegates,
the first TO sign, had affixed their
names at 3:13.
The signing was done within few
yards Of the spot in the same hall
where William | had himself been
crowned emperor Of Germany on Janu-
airy IS. 1871, and where the German
empire was proclaimed.
Wilson Affixes Signature.
The American delegates, headed by
President Wilson, were the second TO
sign, the American executive placing
~. ,o,,,o t.ol I,,, That 81 nr Johannes
Bell. the second Of the German en-
yoys.
Then the plenipotentlaries Of Great
Britain, its colonies, France. Japan,
and Italy signed, followed by repre-
sentatives of the minor powers In al
phabetical order, with Belgium in the
lead.
China Refuses to Sign.
Three incidents of moment married
the signing Of the treaty.
China's delegates did not attend,
declining 10 sign because they were
not permitted 10 make reservations.
The plenlpotentiaries had written
Premier Clemenceau. president of the
peace conference, that they would not
be present and that they were await
ing instructions from their govern
inent.
Smuts Enters Protest.
Gen. Jan Christian SHUTS, one OF
the delegates representing the Union
Of South Africa, signed under protest.
He objected To certain territorial set
Elements. declaring that the indemni-
ties stipulated could not be accepted
without grave injuries to the indus
trial revival Of Europe
He declared II would be to the in
terests Of the allied and associated
powers 20 make the stipulations more
tolerable and moderate.
Unknown TO The public. but Of great
moment, was a protest 10y the German
delegates. Herr Hanlcl Won Halmhau-
sen, secretary of the German delcga.
ton, declared 10 Colonel Henri, French
iason officer. that I'VE cannot admit
that the German delegates should
enter the hail by different door than
the entente Delegates; nor that mill
tary hOnors should be withheld. Had
we known there would be such ar
rangements before the delegates would
not have come"
After a conference II was decided ms
a compromise 10 render military hon.
ors as the Germans left
Solemn Undertakings Clemenceau.
Premier Clemenceaus opening re-
marks were:
THE session Is open. The allied and
associated powers, on the one side,
aud the German commission, on the
other side, have come to an agreement
on the conditions of peace
The text has been completed and
drafted and the president Of the con.
ference has stated IN writing that the
text that Is about 10 be signed now is
to be signed now is Identical with the
200 copies that have been delivered 10
the German delegation.
THE signatures viii be given now,
and they amount 10 a solemn under.
taking faithfully and Loyalty to exc.
cute the conditions embodied by this
treaty of peace.
Il now invite the delegates Of the
German reich 10 Sign the treaty.
Tho credentials Of the new German
delegates were approved by the peace
conference authorities during the fore
noon ana everything was virtually in
readiness here al an early hour for
the ceremony set for three o'clock In
the afternoon. The morning had been
cloudy one. but shortly before mid
The Emerald.
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