The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-06-24
French Capital, Freed From
Tension Goes Wild.
Cannon Boom Out News of
Signing to Parisians.
WAR CLOUDS DARK UNTIL LAST
Cheering DoughbOyS Parade
Streets; Us. Mission Leave.
ENJOYS Now Planning Ceremony
Attending Actual Signing.

Paris. June 23.-Long months of
strain during the peace negotiations
and weeks of doubt whether Germany
would accept the conditions offered or
would invite by her refusal of them a
further invasion of her country ended
late this afternoon when a note an
nouncing Germany's unconditional
acceptance was delivered to the su-
preme council of the conference. The
announcement during the early morn
ing of the councils decision to refuse
a further extension of time in which
Germany might answer inaugurated a
day of extreme tension.
1t was generally known to the pub
lie and conference diplomats that only
"A few hours separated them from the
portentous decision. The first light
came in press dispatch from Weimar
about loon. stating that Germany had
decided to yield. but nothing was
heard from Versailles until shortly
after 3 o'clock p. m. A telephone
messagc from Versailles then an
nouncel the arrival of the German re-
ply which 1 was known to a few of
the in tated was favorable. The first
definite announcement was made to
American correspondents at the
French press headquarters at Quai d.
Orsay at $3.50 O'Clock. II being stated
that an affirmative reply had been de-
livered to Colonel Henry, liaison Off
Ger between the Germans and the
peace conference. who was bringing
il to Paris by automobile.
Paris Guns Boom News.
1t wcs long after the reply had been
received and opened before the su-
prCmc council that guns began to
boon from the forts around Paris and
rejoicing crowds began to stream thru
the streets having been apprised by
the sound OF cannon that the Germans
have accepted the allied terms. Allied
flags were flung out as if by magic
foiA winCows Automobiles loaded
With cheering doughboys and excited
pOilus dashed thru the thorofore.
Church bells thruout the city were
pcaliEg everywhere and cheering, ami
mated throngs gave evidence of the
joy with which the crowds welcomed
the end of the long years of agony
and tension.
Tie celebration soon assumed a
more tumultuous charaetHr and by
even ns Paris seemed bent on indulg-
ing IN an excited demonstration OF
10Y. Bands Of students had taken
posse Ts.on of the German trophy can
nor anccd on either side of Champs
Elyse es from the Arch of Triumph
to Place de la Concorde and were
DRAGGING them in a procession thru
the city. each cannon bearing its bur
den of cheering youths. Special edi-
tions of newspapers with huge cap
tious: Peace has comel" were
snatched from news sellers by excited
Parisians going from work.
Plan Signing Ceremonies.
Plans for the ceremony attending
the signature of the treaty were con-
sidered by the supreme council today
II is known President Wilson favors
making it as simple as is consistent
with the nature of the event and the
original plans for the conclusion ol
the second peace of Versailles" have
been materially modified at his sug-
gestion. The plenipotentiaries will be
seated on raised dais in the center OF
the vast hall of mirrors in the chateau
OF Versailles, upon which will be in.
stalled the table upon which the treaty
will be signed. The program does not
contemplate any set addresses. but Il
is possible both Premier Clemenceau
and the leading German delegate may
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