The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-01-22
Opening Address Made by Pres
ident Poincare Of France.
WILSON NOMINATES GLEN
ENCEAU FOR CHAIRMAN
Chairman Outlines Work of Con-
gress-Three of Larger Sub
jeets Responsibility for War,
for Crimes During War and
abor Legislation.

Paris Jan. 1S.-Yhe peace confer
ence, destined TO be historic, and on
which the eyes of the world are now
centered. was opened this afternoon
in the great Sale De La Park. Pre-
naler Clemenceau announced that the
league of nations would be the hrst
subject taken up at the next 1uii
meeting Of the conference.
Today's proceedings which were
confined to the election Of Georges
eaemeaceau, the French premier, as
permanent chairman of the confer
ence, an address of welcome by the
nresldeut of the French republic,
Raymond Poincare, and speeches by
president Wilson, Premier Lloyd
George and Raron Sonnino, were
Characterized by expressions of last
Ing friendship and the apparent deter
n1ination of the Representatives OF the
various nations to come to an a1nlca-
BILE understanding with respect to the
problems to be decided by the confer
ence.
When President Poincare spoke,
the entire assembly, stood, and the fact
that, according to; custom, no ap-
plause greeted his utterance gave
greater solemnity to the scene.
AZ. Clenaenceau's acceptance OF the
presidency of the congress was botn
q feeling expression Of personal graft
& tuae and a definite outline of the
great questions Immediately ahead.
Three of these larger general sub
7ects he defined as responsibility for
the war, responsibility for crimes
during the war and international
labor legislation. The league OF ma
-tions, he declared, was at the heaes
of the program for the next full ses-
sion.
.Our ambition is great and noble
-oae. said NJ Clemenceau. We wish
8 to avoid a repetition of the catastro-
I pie which bathed the world in blood.
/ II the league of nations is to be prac-
icable we must all remain united.
Let us carry out our program quickly
and in effective manner"
Referring to the authors Of the war,
he said he had consulted two emf
rent jurists on the penal responsible
sty Of the former German emperor,
and each delegate would receive a
copy Of that report.
In all seventy-two seats were pro
vfded fory the opening session OF the
peace conference. On the outer side OF
the great horse shoe were arranged
the japanese, the British and Colon
;sal delegates and the seat Of the fifth
British delegate A chair for The
fifth American delegate also was re-
served Immediately to the right Of the
table Of honor.
The italian, Belgian. Brazilian.
Cuban. Haitian. Peruvian. Portuguese.
Serbinal. CzecIo-Slovakien ard Uru-
guayan delegates sat in the order
named. Across at the left wing OF
the table sat the Siamese, Rumanian.
Polish, Liberian. Hedjas. Guaten1alan.
Ecuadorean, Chinese and Bolivian
delegations.
AS the delegations arrived they
were met by fanfares Of trumDets and
accorded military honors by the
troops. The japanese were among
the earlier arrivals and were followed
by the Sia1nese and East Indians in
picturesque turbans.
President Wilson's arrival at ten
minutes of 5 was the signal for dem
zorstration from the crowds. The
president passed into the ante-cham-
Der, where II. Pichon. the French for
eign minister, awaited 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 of honor Here he was join
ed by Secretary Lansing, Mr.. White
and Gen. Bliss, and exchanged greet
ings with the British and many 9TH
er delegates.
Just at O'Clock ruffle Of drums
and blare Of trumpets announced the
approach of NJ. Poincare. The French
president was escorted by the group
of premiers to the head Of the table.
while a hush fell upon the assemblase
as the moment arrived for the open
ing Of the congress.
It was exactly three minutes past
o'clock when NJ. Poincare began his
address and the peace congress came
into being The entire assemblage
stood as the president spoke. Presi-
dent Wilson stood Immediately at his
right and listened attentively. NJ.
Poincare spoke in an earnest, easy
manner. without deciamatory effort.
and, following usage. there was no
applause or interruption.
NJ Poincare spoke in French and
when he had concluded an interpreter
read the discourse in English.
AS NJ. Poincare 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 said, as NJ. Poin-
care made his exit: "It gives me
great pleasure to propose as perma
nent chairman Of the conference Mr..
Clemenceau."
President Wilson spoke. in conyer-.
sational voice which, however. car
ried through the chamber, as he