The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1919-07-03

/ Versailles, June 29.-The world
war was formally ended yesterday by
the signing of the peace treaty with
Germany.
The epochal meeting in the Hall Of
Mirrors began at $40 o'clock and the
German delegates, the first to sign,
affixed their signatures at 3:13 o'clock
They were followed by the A7Serican
delegates, headed by President Viii
son, and then by the plenipotentiaries
of Great Britain, France, Italy and
Japan. The representatives of the
minor powers signed in alphabetical
order.
China Did Not Sign.
China's delegates did not attend the
session, declining to sign the treaty
because they were not permitted to
make reservations. They had written
to the president of the conference
stating that they would not be present
and that they were awaiting instruc-
tions from their government
Gen. Jan Christian Smuts, one of
the delegates representing the Union
Of South Africa, signed under pro-
test. He objected to certain territori-
al settlements, making lengthy
statement. General Smuts said that
the indemnities stipulated could not
be accepted without grave injuries to
the industrial revival of Europe. He
asserted it would be to the interest of
the Allied powers to render the stipu-
lations more tolerable and moderate.
"A Solemn Task''-Clemencea
Premier Clemenceau, in opening the
session, said:
"The session is open. The Allied
and associated powers on one side and
the German commission on the other
side have come to an agreement on
the conditions of peace. The text has
been completed, drafted and the presi-
dent of the conference has stated in
writing that the text that is about to
be signed now is identical with the
two hundred copies that have been de-
livered to the German delegation. The
signatures will be given now and they
amount to solemn undertaking.
faithfully and Loyalty to execute the
conditions embodied by this treaty of
peace. | now invite the delegates of
the German commission to sign the
treaty"
The protocol was signed by all those
who signed the treaty. The Rhine ar
rangement was signed by the Ameri-
cans, Belgians, British aad French
plenipotentiaries. (The protocol is the
document containing changes in, and
Interpretation Of, the treaty.
Cannon Told of Peace.
At 3:44 o'clock cannon began to
boom, announcing the completion of
the ceremony of signing. The sigma
lures had not, however. as a matter
OF fact, then been completed, for at
that time the smaller nations were
still signing in alphabetical order.
The proceedings were formally
closed at $40 o'clock.
"The conditions of peace are now an
accomplished fact; the proceedings
are closed" Clemenceau announced.
The German delegates left the hall
first, the Allied representatives re-
naming in their seats. Those who
had assembled in the hall then went to
the terrace to see the fountains play
ing
AS Premier Clemenceau. President
Wilson and Premier Lloyd George
emerged from the palace. the great
crowd gathered outside swept aside
the Gordon Of troops, cheering madly
Premiers Clemenceau and Lloyd
George and President Wilson were
photographed together on the terrace
After the demonstration the three
Allied leaders left Versailles in the
same motor car, the crowds following
and cheering.
The three statesmen were swept
along by the surging thousands. Many
soldiers broke ranks and joined in
the demonstration. while guns doomed
and low flying airplanes seemed to
fin the air.
Before the ceremony the indications
were that the council of four would
meet after the signing to study suit
able means to oblige Germany to rati