Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-01-23
PEACE CONFERENCE.
FORMALLY OPENED
President Wilson dominates
Premier Clemenceau of France
AS Permanent President
SPEECH BY LLOYD GEORGE
He Seconds Nomination and Pays
Tribute to "the Tiger"-First Scs-
sion Is Short One

Paris Jan. 19-The peace conference !
was formally opened Saturday afternoon !
by President Poincare Of France. The |
unanimous election of Premier Clemen- |
ceau to the permanent presidency of the /
congress was followed by his announce |
ment that the next full session of the con- |
ference would deal with the league of ma
lions as the first subject for discussion.
As the delegations arrived they were
greeted by fanfares of trumpets. and mill
tary honors were accorded by the troops.
The Japanese were among the earlier ar
rivals and were followed by the Siamese
and East Indians in picturesque turbans.
President Wilson's arrival at ten min
utes to three was the signal for a demon
stration from the crowds. The President
passed into the interchamber where M.
Pichon, the French foreign minister.
awaited him, and conducted him to the
council room.
Already the chamber was crowded with
delegates, who greeted president Wilson
warmly as he passed toward the table or
honor. Here he was Joined by Secretary
Lansing. Mr.. White, and General Bliss.
and exchanged greetings with the British
and many other delegates.
Just at three o'clock a ruff1e of drums
and blare of trumpets announced the
approach of President Poncare. He
was escorted by the group of premiers
to the head of the table, while hush
fell upon the assemblage as the mo-
ment arrived for the opening Of the
congress.
1t was exactly three minutes past three
when NJ. Poincare began his address, and
the peace conference came into being
The entire assemblage stood as the
French President spoke. President Will
%.1, 1Nta rttyhf nd
listened attentivey. NJ. Poincare spoke
In an earnest but easy manner, without
declamatory effect, and, according to
usage, there was no applause or inter-
ruption.
He spoke in French, and when he had
concluded an Interpreter read the presi-
Dental discourse in English.
As M. Poincare closed he turned to re-
ceiye the congratulations OF President
Wilson and Premier Lloyd George. and
then withdrew, saluting each delegation
as he retired.
WILSON NOMANATEs CLEMENCEAU
AS NJ. Poincare made his exit President
Wilson rose to propose NJ. Clemenceau
as permanent chairman of the confer
ence He spoke in conversational voice,
which, however, carried throughout the
chamber as he paid eloquent tribute to
the French premier.
In his nominating address President
Wilson said:
More nations are represented here
than were ever represented In such a
conference before. The fortunes of all
peoples are involved. A great war Is
ended, which seemed about to bring a
universal cataclysm. The danger Is
passed. A victory has been won for man.
kind and it is delightful that we should
be able to record these great results in
this place.
But It is more delightful to honor
France because we can honor her In the
person of so distinguished a servant. We
have all felt in our participation In the
struggles Of this war the fine steadfast-
ness which characterized the leadership
Of the French in the hands OF Mr..
Clemenceau. We have learned to admire
him. and those of us who have been
associated with him have acquired a
genuine affection for him."
Premier Lloyd George seconded the
nomination of M. Clemenceau, speak
Ing earnestly Of the distinguished serv-
ices the French statesman had render
ed in war and peace
LLOYD GEORGES TRIBUTE TO
TIGER"
dent Wilson's motion in these words:
IT count 1t not merely pleasure,
but a great privilege, that 1 should be
expected on behalf of the British EN-
pire delegates to support the motion
of President Wilson. dc 80 for the
reason which he has so eloquently
given expression to-as tribute to
the man. When / was a schoolboy Mr.
Clemenceau was a compelling and q
Aery IN no n
native land, and his fame had extended
far beyond the bounds of France.
"were it not for that undoubted fact
Mr. President. should have treated as
q legend the common report of your
years. I have attended many confer
ences with Mr.. Clemenceau, and ir
them all the most vigorous, the mos
enduring, and the most youthful figure
there has been that of Mr.. Clemenceau
He has had the youthfulness. he hal
had the hopefulness and the fearless
ness of youth. He Is, indeed, thu
Grand Young Man of France. and
am proud to stand here to propose tina
he should take the chair in this grea
conference that is to settle the peac'
Of the world.
"Durng the dark days we have passed
through, his courage, his unfailing cour
age, his untiring energy. his inspiration
nave nelVe0 tHe allies tnTOuRn 10
umph, and I know of no one to whom
that victory Is more attributable thai
the man who sits In this chair. In hi
own person, more than any living man
he represents the heroism. he represent
the genius, of the indomitable people o
his land.
"And for these reasons I count 1t
privilege that I should be expected t
second this motion"
Baron Sonnino, tine Italian foreig
minister. added Italy's tribute where
upon the election of M. Clemenceau a
permanent presiding officer was effect
cd unanimously.
In acknowledging the honor conferre
upon him. II. Clemenceau said the pro
gram of the conference would includ
the following general subjects First, re
sponsibility of the authors Of the war
second, responsibility for crimes com
mitted during the war: third, legislatio
in regard to international labor. 9TH
league of nations" he declared, xvi
be placed at the head Of the order of tn
day Of the next full session."
The opening session adjourned at A.;
o'clock after lasting Just an hour and
bait. The exact time was set for tn
second reassemblinM of the full cor
ference.
AN EXPLANATION