The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-02
Count Won BrOckdorff-
Rantzau Nearly Faints as
Credentials Are Offered.
TOO MOVED FOR WORDS
Jules Cambon Formally Re-
ceives Them as Spokes-
man for Victors.
HENRY WHITE PRESENT
Historic Scene in Hotel Tria-
non When First Preliminaries
to Treaty Are Performed.
HENRY WHITE PRESENT
BY the Associated Press.

'hhsALLEs' May LIN a session he
ginning at $40 o'clock this afternoon
and lasting barely five minutes. the
German plenipotentiaries to the Peace
congress presented their credentials.
1t was the first step in the peace ne
sotiations. The German credentials
we're presented to representatives Of
the Allies and the United States.
Pale and almost fainting from emo
ton, Count Won Brockdorff- -Rantxau.
the German Foreign Secretary and
head OF the delegation, passed through
what evidently was one of the bitter
est moments Of his life. He was
barely able to sustain himself through
the brief ceremony and reach the
waiting automobile which had brought
him to the gathering.
The meeting took place In the room
OF the Trianon Hotel previously used
Tor the sessions OF the Supreme Mill
tary Council. Count Won Brockdorfr-
Rantzau, on entering. was accompa-
MED by Herr Landsberg, Prof.
schuecking and two secretaries. and
waiting for him the allied representa-
uves were grouped around Jules Cam
bon, the former French Ambassador
az Berlin, who is chairman Of the COM
mission.
Exchange nf Cr.h.-St.I.
Other members OF the allied party
included Henry White of the United
states. Lord Harding, Great Britain,
and Ambassador Matsui, Japan.
NJ Cambon Immediately addressed
Count Won Brockdorff- Rantzau, stating
nat ne was chairman Of the commits
sion entrusted by the allied Powers to
.eceive and examine the credentials of
'He German delegates as the first step
IN a conference which. 1t was hoped,
would lead to peace.
Here are ours" continued NJ. Cam
pom, extending IS he spoke the formal
IeuehtaIs OF the allied commission as
henpotentiaries to the congress.
count Won Brockdorff-Rantzau sur
.e"aeied the German credentials. with
ven less OF formal address. his emo
uenNer an extended discourse.
After these brief ceremonies the Ger
mans turned and left the hall. walking
'e" steps TO the cars In waiting. They
we're Followed Immediately by the allied
representatives. The whole ceremony
was over b. 3:20 o'clock. The allied
1s'esates then rode TO the chateau TO
inspect the Hall OF Mirrors. where the
Heaty will be signed, and eventually
'''urned TO the hotel for tea.
Rain Disturbs Progrnmme.
IAe setting for the preliminary meet
's was dull and unimpressive. Tho
N"'es were overcast and there were oc-
aaSonaI bursts OF rain. This caused
"U'hdonment Of the original plan, which
oHe'npIated having the German dele
.S'es walk from the Hotel des Reser-
.oIrs across the park to she Hotel Tri-
mon This would have followed the
ilnvoluntary precedent set by Louis
nleTs the French delegate in discuss
Lg peace with Bismarck in 1870. He,
,N IN, me Germans was housed in the
,ole des Reservoirs. and made his way
uoo' % the little hotel occupied by Bis
"larck then the worlds diplomatic
centre
:, automobiles instead were provided.
,smhon was the first Of the mission
- a. I've IN his car, accompanied by
man Martin. chief OF protocol OF
we foreign once. Lord Harding. ac-
ra'el by Secretary Henry hoffman,
y"% %Ssddor Matsur. with his secretary,
.u henry White, with Secretary Chris
Her'er. followed in quick succession
s"u lminedia'ely entered the conference
WI" 20 await the arrival OF the Ger
The latter were delayed for
tne' owing to the fact that in
sh' instructions had been given to
a. 'encn sendarmes controlling traf-
''p's the route to the hotel. They
yea t1e car 10 see the drivers per-
""l-"s Hat in saiutation.
=. ,lHt 'o1 Brockdorn- -Rantzau, at the
1''e TO tho hotel. raised his hat TO
s'oup of photographers. correspond
.H AAd Officers who stood outside the
,-'''" "s then passed directly TO the con-
..'7 room. The arrangements for the
,s..H'AF provided for strict privacy and
,,r' 'E' .ls!on of all not Immediately con-
.r"'' rom the precincts OF the hotel
,,-' french official statement on the
''''Aony today says:
No president Of the committee on
s.ncauon of credentials Of the in
,".nea conference. Jules Cambon,
'"o o'her members. Henry White,
'ortHued on Third Page,