New-York tribune., 1919-01-19
Premier Says Congress
Must Fix Responsibilitv
for " ar and lis Crines
Urges Universal
Labor Legislation
Session Convened With 4
Fanfare of Trumpets
and Military Pomp

a. VBsE'
PARIS, Jan. lS (By The Associated
Press).-The peace congress. destined
to be historic and on which the eye.
of the world are now centred was
opened this afternoon in the great Sale
de la Paix.
The proceedings which were confined
to the election Of Georges Clemenceau.
the French Premier. as permanent
chairman of the conference; an address
of welcome by the President Of the
French Republic Raymond Poincare
and speeches by President Wilson. Pre-
mier Lloyd George and Baron Sonnino
were characterized by expressions or
lasting friendship and the apparent dc
termination of the representatives Of
the various nations to come to an ann.
cable understanding with respect to
the problems to be decided bv the con
ference
When President Poincare spoke. the
entire assembly stood, and the fsct
that, according to custom, no anlauso
greeting his utterances, gave greater
solemnity to the scene.
NJ. Clemenceau's acceptance OF the
presidency Of the congress was both a
leellng expression of personal gratitude
and definite outline of the great ques
tions Immediately ahead. Three of these
larger general subjects he defined ~
responsibility for the war respons
bility for crimes during the war. aaI
International labor legislation.
The league of nations. he declared
was at the head of the programme for
the next full session.
"Our ambition is a great and robi.
one said NJ Clemenceau. "Wo v.el
to avoid repetition of the catastropho
which bathed the world in blood n
the league Of nations is to be practi
cable we must all remain united. Lei Us
carry out our programme quickly and
IN an effective, manner"
Jurists Rule on Ex-kaiser
Referring to the authors of the wa
he said he had consulted two eminen.
jursts on the penal responsibility Of
the former German Emperor. and each
delegate would receive copy of thai
report.
In all, seventy-two seats were pro
vided for the opening session Of The
peace conference On the outer sid
of the great horseshoe were arranged
the japanese, the British and colonial
delegates and the seat Of the ffta
British delegate A chair for the fifth
American delegate also was reserved
Immediately TO the right Of the table
of honor
The Italian, Belgian. Brazilian. Gu
ban, Haytian Peruvian. Portugaese.
Serbian. Czecho Slovakian and U-u-
guayan delegates sat in the order
named. Across at the left wing Of the
.able sat the Siamese. Rumanian. Polish.
Hedjaz, Guatemalan, Ecua
dorean. Chinese and Bolivian delega-
tons.
Accorded Military Honors
As the delegations arrived for she
conference they were met by fanfares
Of trumpets and accorded mjlitarv
honors by the troops The japanese
were among the earlier arrivals. and
were followed by the Siamese and Eas,
indians in picturesque turbans.
President Wilson's arrival a. 2.ao
o'clock was the signal for demonstra
ton from the crowds. The President
passed into the ante-chamber. where II
Pichon. the French Foreign Minister.
awaited, and conducted him to The
council room
Already the chamber WAS crowded
With delegates. who greeted Presieen,
" wilson warmly As he passed toward
he table Of honor Here he was joined
~ Secretary Lansing Mr. White and
General Bliss. and exchanged greetings
With the British and many other dele
gates
Wilson Listens Attentively
Just at o'clock a rufle of drums
and blare of trumpets announced the
approach OF NJ Poincare The French
PRESIDENT was escorted by the group Of
premicrs to the head Of the table. and
l hush fell upon the assemblage AZ the
moment arrived for the opening Of me
congress.
II was exactly 3:le o'clock when VI
Poincarc began has address and ste
leacc conference came INTO being.
entire assemblage stood as the Pre-.