The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1919-01-23
PRESIDENT POINcAIRE MAKES
WELCOME ADDRESS TO AL
LIES REPRESENTATIVES,
CLEMENCEAU Is CHAIRMAN
Nominated BY President Wilson-Pre-
mier Lloyd George Refers to Dis
tinguished Services Clemen-
ceau Has Rendered.

ParlS.-1le peace conferences, ueS-
tined to be historic and on which the
eyes of the world are centered, was
opened January 18 in the great Sale
de la Park. The proceedings, which
were confined to the election of
Georges Clemenceau, the French pre-
mier, as permanent chairman of the
conference, an address of welcome by
the president of the French republic,
Raymond Poincaire, and speeches by
President Wilson, Premier Lloyd
George and Baron Sonnino, were char
RcteriZed by expressions of lasting
Friendship and the apparent determi-
nation of the representatives Of the
various nations to come to an amicable
understanding with respect to the
problems to be decided by the confer
ence.
president Poincaire formally opened
the first session of the conference.
after his address of welcome he called
upon President Wilson to preside.
When President Poincaire spoke the
entire assembly stood, and the fact
that, according to custom, no ap-
:pleause greeted his utterances gave
greater solemnity to the scene.
President Poincaire thanked the al
lied nations for having chosen Paris
for their important work and praised
the valor of the allied armies, which
had preserved the capital of France
from the enemy.
I, At pm. ruffle of drums and blare
of trumpets announced the approach
of M. Poincaire. The French presi-
dent was escorted by the group of pre-
miers to the head of the table, while a
hush fell upon the assembly as the
moment arrived for the opening Of the
congress.
It was exactly three minutes to 3
when M. Poincaire began his address
and the peace congress came into be-
ing. The entire assemblage stood as
the president spoke President Will
son stood Immediately at his right and
listened attentively. NJ. Poincaire
spoke in an earnest, easy manner,
without declamatory effect.
M. Poincaire spoke in French, and,
when he had concluded, an interpreter
read the discourse in English.
AS M. Poincaire closed, he turned to
receive the congratulations of Presi-
dent Wilson and Premier Lloyd
George, and then withdrew, greeting
each delegation as he retired.
President Wilson rose as M. Poin'
caire made his exit "It gives me great
pleasure" he said, 'to propose as per
manent chairman of the conference
NJ Clemenceau."
president Wilson spoke in converse
tional voice, which, however, carried
throughout the chamber, as he paid
eloquent tribute to the French pre-
mier.
Premier Lloyd George seconded the
nomination OF M. Clemenceau, speak
ing earnestly of the distinguished ser
vices the French premier had rendered
In war and peace.
Baron Sonnino, the Italian foreign
minister, added Italy's tribute, where
upon the election of M. Clemenceau as
presiding officer was made unanimous
In feeling address M. Clemenceau
acknowledged the honor conferred
upon him. He turned first to Presi-
dent Wilson and bowed his thanks,
then to Mr.. Lloyd George for the trib-
ute he had paid him, 1t was not alone
a tribute to him, he said, but to
France.
"We have come together as friends.
he exclaimed; I'VE must leave this hall
as friends!"