The Washington herald., 1919-01-19
Fixing Guilt for Starting
the War and for Crimes
Committed During Strug-
gle, First Task Taken Up
by Delegates League Of
Nations Up Next.


Paris, Jan. IS.-The conference
of Paris began today.
Fixing the guilt for starting the
war and for crimes committed
during the war was the first task
taken up by the delegates.
The League of Nations will be
brought before the next session.
President Poincarc, in his speech
of welcome, urged the conference
to establish the league The Peace
Conference, he declared, holds in
its hands the future of the world.
Premier Clemenceau was unani-
mously chosen as chairman.
Speaking French, which is the pre-
dominating language, he declared
that the league of nations was al
ready in existence in the confer
ence hall.
''Reparation now means not only
material, but moral reparation," ne
said.
The civilized world meets to de-
teruine the future. to draw up a new
order of things. The league of ma
10 7, -. ~
present spirit is carried out We
know We must reconcile conflicting
interests for a freer. happier human
tty. Our first duty is to do our work
well and quickly"
Premier ClemenCeau was nominated
by President Wilson. Premier Lloyd
George and Italian Foreign Minister
Sonnino seconded. Four vice presi-'
dents representing the great powers
were selected, and a committee on
credentials was appointed
The premier. who recently declared
for the old balance of power, came
out in favor OF the league of nations.
Newspaper men were admitted to
this session.
~No Big Demonstration
French Foreign Minister Pichon
drove to Prince Murats palace and
picked up President Wilson there
shortly before the opening of the con-
Eress. They drove to the Quai d'Orsay
together. Poincare entered the hall
shortly afterward. There was a
crowd outside the buildings. but the
automobiles bearing delegates dashed
directly into the court yard, being
distinguished by the flags futtering
from their hoods. Therefore, there
was no opportunity for a big demon
stration.
In the center Of the conference hall
WAS a large table, with three sides
The central part was occupied by
POinCaTe, with Wilson and American
delegation on his right, while Lloyd
George and the British delegation sat
on his left Nine delegates from the
British dOminiOns had places still far
ther to the left. At the right of the
American delegatiOn sat Clemenceau
and French representatives, and with
them Marshal FOch. not as a member
Of the French group. but as repre-
sentative of the inter-alIied command
Still further along the table were the
delegates from Italy, Belgium, Bra
zil. Greece. Haiti. Liberia. Ponama,
Poland, Rumania, Siam and Uruguay.
in the order named. On the other
side were the representatives of Ja-
pan. Bolivia. China. ecuador, Guate-
mala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru,
Portugal. Serbia, Czecho-SIovakia,
and likewise Prince Emir Yayssal,
representing his father the Arabian
King Of the Hedjaz.
Presidents in Big Chairs.
All the delegates were seated in or
binary chairs except Wilson and Poin-
caire, who occupied big chairs of state.
Before the congress opened Poincaire
shook hands with all the representa-
tives. Andre Tardieu, of the French
group. was the first to enter the hall
Henry White was the first American
delegate to appear. Foch followed.
Then they began arriving rapidly
There were few minutes of general
conversation and handshaking Will
son and Clemenceau engaged in a
smiling talk.
At 3.OS all rose from their seats, and
President Poincaire began his speech
Two hundred correspondents. diplo-
mats and diGnitaries stood on tip
toe in an adjoining room to hear and
see what they could at that distance
Premier Lloyd George entered in the
midst of the French Presidents ad-
dress. He slipped quietly to his pee
After the address the business of or
ganization was taken up. All the ma
tions in the conference were given
places on the credentials committee
Memo- Anent Labor Asked.
All powers were asked to submit
memorandums bearing on the re-
sponsibility for crimes committed
during the war. Memorandums also
were requested touching on inter-
national labor conditions. Powers
with limited interests were asked to
send memorandums on questions of
territory, finance and economics in
which they are particularly con-
cerned.
Clemenceau at 4:30 proposed the
league of nations for consideration
at the next meeting. The first sit
ting adjourned at 4:31.
During the translation of Poin-
caiE.s speech. President Wilson
lean d forward, listening intently.
At the conclusion. Poincaire first
shook hands with Wilson. Then he
shook hands with all the others.
passing around the hall.
CIemencenu Takes Post.
Al $50 Clemenceau took his place
in the chair. as presiding officer,
amid a fanfare of bugles outside
the building.
President Wilson's speech was