Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-18
Bright Skies, First Time in
Fortnight, Mark Confer
ence Opening.
CROWDS ON QUAI D'0RSAY
SEE DELEGATES ARRIVE
Scene in Foreign Office Where Mo-
nentous Decisions Are to
Be Made.

By The Associated Press.
PARIS. January 1s.-The peace con
ference was formally opened this aft.
ernoon with speech by President
Poineare of France.
The foreign Office was the center
of interest as final preparations
were made for the opening of the
peace congress at o'clock this after
noon. Bright skies greeted the pleni-
potentiaries for the first time in
fortnight, sunshine and a bracing air
succeeding the weeks of rain.
Along the Quai d'Orsay the crowds
awaited the appearance OF the dele
of the Sale de la Paix, where the
congress was about to meet. Toward
midday the troops called out for the
occasion began to take their assigned
positions fronting the Palais Bourbon
ana the foreign Office, with a guard of
honor drawn up in the court leading
to the entrance to the foreign office
The guard took the form of double
file of soldiers, through which the
delegates were to pass.
Delegates Meet by Nations.
All the peace delegations held final
meetings this morning before the as-
American delegation met at 10 o'clock,
but President Wilson did not attend.
remaining at the Murat mansion
throughout the morning to rest. While
there had been some expectation that
President Wilson might address the
opening session on behalf of the for
eign delegations in response to Presi-
dent Poincare's address of welcome,
1t was finally determined that there
would be no speeches except those by
President Poincare and by Premier
Ciemenceau.
Outlook for German Delegates.
With the assembling Of the first
full session Of the peace congress this
afternoon the prospects OF the notable
asaemblage of statesmen making
rapid progress with its work seem
snssassa sol So 81 hy Z, ses sagsssnt ssassa q
the way to the stabilizing OF the gov
ernment and the prospect Of its, being
able to send responsible representa-
tiyss q efellce.
itself single -nfndedly to the creation
of q league OF nations, and the first
steps toward formation of that league.
it is understood. will be taken today.
A study of the methods by which the
league can be organised will be com
mitted formally to an interallied COM
with the congress, which will present
the result Of its 1abors for ratification
at the wind-up of the congress.
Unbroken Front to Enemy.
All questions at issue, of whatever
kind, will be settled before the enemy
delegates arrive, the allied ministers
recognizing the vital Importance of
presenting an unbroken front to the
enemy.
AS regards Russia, it is stated tina
the five leading powers have agreed
that her representation by any Rus
sian element is impossible for the
moment. 1t is argued that the ad
mission of former Premier Lyoff or
vious Russian governments might
give the bolsheviki chance to de-
clare that the powers were support
ing a monarchical regime.
Method Of Procedure.
AS to the other questions before the
congress-territorial, financial and
economic-the order of their consid-
Grafton Will be indicated in the rules
of procedure to be read by Premier
Cemenceau as president of the con-
gress It is understood that the
method of work viii be such that
each delegation will record its opiH-
ion on each question in a memoran-
dunn which it will hand to the gem
eral secretariat. The fiye great pow
ers. the organizers of the conference.
will deliberate on these memoranda.
either making decision at once or
inviting the delegates of the coun
tries especially affected by the ques-
tion at issue to come and discuss IL
with them.
Thus the twenty-five representatives
of the great powers will act, in a way.
as the arbitrators of the conflicting
claims of the small nations.
BY this method there will be few
plenary sittings. there being no rea-
SON for holding them except when
the question Is one Of ratifyirg an
entire category Of decisions affecting
the assembled states as a whole. and
above all when the future organixa-
ton of the world. that is to say. the
question Of the league OF nations. is
dealt with. ,.s-s. :. = 81
Arrangement Of Conference.
All preparations had been completed
early today for the holding OF the
first formal session OF the peace con
the Sale de la Paix. and one
of the most splendid reception rooms
in Europe, had been placed in readi-
ness for the delegations of the various
nations as they entered to inauguratc
the sittings OF the full congress, the !
entire chamber having been rcarrang-
ed for the special purpose to which it
is now being put. s3a
First to catch the eye of the plen-
entering the hall
statue OF Peace, holding aloft the
torch of civilization. had been placed.
This heroic marble figure stood direct
Iy behind the chair of Premier Glenn
enceau of France, the presiding offf-
Ger. IT seems as IL the statue might
have been placed in this position to
exercise controlling influence on the
Table Green Baize-covered.
In front of the statue was spread the
council table, covered with the tra-
iitiona1 green baize of diplomacys
rhis table is in the form of huge s
horseshoe. Across the upper end were
nine seats of honor. for the presiding
,fIicer, the vice presidents and pre-
niers On each side OF the two arms
II the horseshoe there were fifteen
,eats. making sixty seats. besides the y
line at the head of the table
Each delegates chair was uphoi-
ytered In bright red leather. and be-
'ore each place was complete equip
ysAnt' OF writing ma4eftal& The Gt- q