The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1919-07-04
HUNS SIGN
PEACE TREATY
ALLIED CHIEFS ARE CHEERED
BY VAST CROWDS AT
VERSAILLES.
SIGNED AND SEALED
GERMAN DELEGATES PROTEST
AGAINST LACK OF COUR-
TESY.

Versailles, June 30-World peace
was signed and sealed IN the historic
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-
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, is 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 DIR. 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 a 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 o'clock a hush fell over the
hall and the crowds shouted for the
officials who were standing to sit
down 80 as 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 3 DIR. Her
mann Mueller, the German secretary
for foreign affairs, and DR.. Bell, the
colonial secretary, were shown into
the hall and quietly took seats at ths
left end Of the U-shaped table. They
showed composure and manifested
: none of the uneasiness Count voI
Brockdorff Rantzau, head of the Ger
: man peace delegation, displayed wheI
handed the treaty at Versailles.
: NJ Clemenceau, as president Of this
5 conference, made a brief speech in
, wiling the Germans to sign the treaty
and there was tense pause. WIN
lam Martin, master of ceremonies
I after a moments delay, escorted tbs
: German plenipotentaries to the sig
: natory table, where they signed tbs
/ treaty, the protocol and the Polisi
undertaking Because of the confu
: sion and the crowd, the signing los
much of its expected dignity.
, After the Germans had signed
President Wilson, followed by th'
other American delegates, made al
way to the table and he and th
; others speedily affixed their sigma
lures. Premier Lloyd George cam
next with the English delegation. Th'
British dominions followed-Canada
Australia, New Zealand, South Africs
and India in the order named
, A murmur of surprise passed aroun'
, the hall when 1t became known tha
General Smuts, representing Souu
, Africa, signed under protest and file'
document declaring that the peac'
/ was unsatisfactory.
: III. Clemenceau, with the F'rencl
, delegates, were the next in line TO
the signing, and then Baron SaionJ
and the other japanese delegates. Th
Italians came after the japanese AM
{ were followed by the representative
5 of the smaller powers.
: During the attaching of the sigma
J lures Of the great powers and tn
| Germans a battery of moving pictur
: machines and cameras clicking ava.
/ could be heard above the general dis
: order.
: At AS o'clock the booming of can
non in celebration of the peace brok'
the monotony in the hall of mirrors
where the crowd had tired of the al
l most endless signing.