The Topeka state journal., 1919-05-08
German Foreign Minister Sat
While Answering Clemenceau.
His Attitude IntOIerabIe Insult,
Says Australian Premier.
TENSE AIR At TREATY TABLE
German Eyes Shifted While
Spokesman Admitted Guilt.
Council of Four Discussed Hun
Reply After Famous Meeting.

London. May AFTER the confer
ence at Versailles today William NJ.
Hughes. premier of Australia, said,
according to Reuter- dispatch:
"The attitude of Count Brockdorff-
Rantzau was an intolerable insult to
the conference for. while Premier
Clemenceau spoke standing, the Ger
man spokesman did not rise while
making his address. In spite of their
intolerable arrogance his has been a
which we could see had entered into
their souls"
Most Impudent, Says Massey.
William f. Massey, premier of New
Zealand. said:
The Germans were more impudent
and aggressive than anything l have
ever met"
After the conference, the dispatch
states, the fact that the members of
the council of four did not appear
made the crowd anxious but it trans
pired they were holding a meeting and
shortly after 4:3U o'clock, President
Wilson departed, looking serious but
smiling, saluted the crowd as he went
to his automobile. A little later the
appearance of M. Clemenceau was a
signal for the first great wave of
cheering of the day. Premier Orlando
received an ovation but Premier Lloyd
George, the last to leave, is said to
have been given a more generous re-
ception from the throng.
Tense Atmosphere.
London, May 7.-Describing the
scene at the Trianon palace today
when the terms of peace were handed
to the German delegation, a Paris dis
patch to the Central News says that
Premier Clemenceau stood while max
ing his address, but that Count Won
Brockdorff-R -Rantzau, the spokesman
of the Germans, wearing big horn
spectacles, remained seated while he
read his speech, which was translated
sentence by sentence.
AS the German foreign minister
proceeded with increasing decision.
the dispatch says that it was interest
ing to note the demeanor of the as
sembiy. The Germans seemed TO
stiffen their bodies and with folded
arms they sat stern and silent by
Count Won Brockdorff- Rantzau's side
While the speaker was admitting the
acceptance of defeat and the obliga-
tion of reparationi those watching the
German delegates saw that they
turned their eyes in other directions
While the address was proceeding only
Premier Clemenceau and President
Wilson appeared unconcerned, the lat
ter leaning back in his chair, with his
hands in his pockets.
Created Deep Impression.
On concluding his speech, Count von
Brockdorff- Rantzau replaced his spec
tacles in their case, spread his hands
upon the table and waited. 1t was
clear, the dispatch says, that his atti-
tude created a deep impression upon
the delegates. Premier Clemenceau
imm ediately rose and in a couple OF
sharp sentences brought the proceed
ings to a close. Subsequently Premier
Clemenceau, President Wilson, Mr.
Lloyd George and Premier Orlando
met in an adjoining room doubtless
to discuss the German reply.
During the meeting Marshal Foch
was apparently needing the proceed
ings. Nursing his chin in his hand
he never looked toward the German
delegates, his gaze apparently travel
ing thru the great windows to- the
beautiful country beyond.