The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-29
Germans Exhibit Surprise
When They Are Asked
to Sign First.
WILSON COMES NEXT
Stern Expression Changes
to Smile of Triumph After
He Uses Pen.
CHINESE REMAIN AWAY
Clemenceau Affixes His Sigma.
ture After British Dele
gates Seal the Pact.
CHINESE REMAIN AWAY
ny LAURENCE HILLS.
Star Correspondent Of THS Sun.

Copyright. 1919: oil rights reserved.
PARIS, June 2S.-The worlds great
est war came to a fitting close this
afternoon at $40 o'clock in the great
Hall Of Mirrors of the Palace Of Yer
sailles, when the two German dele
gates, Foreign Minister Herman
Mueller and Minister OF Colonies
Johannes Bell, affixed their names
to the peace treaty.
One minute later President Wilson
arose from his place in the hall, fol-
lowed by the American delegates. and
signed his name under those of the
Germans. China. in protest against
the refusal Of the Allies to modify
their plan to hand over Shantung to
the japanese, refused to sign the
treaty, her delegates absenting them
selves altogether from the peace
table.
This was the only discordant note
in the scene, which, while lacking the
spectacular features that many e1-
pected, yet was gripping for it's spirit
ual significance to those who thronged
that gorgeous mirrored chamber IN
which this final act of the war was
staged.
CIemenceau Calls for Signatures.
There were a few brief moments
in the hour that the drama lasted
when history seemed to poise itself.
That was when Premier Clemenceau
concluded his brief opening speech
which had stabbed the stiffness of the
vast crowded hall with the words:
''I now invite the delegates Of Ger
many to sign the treaty"
1t had not been expected that the
Germans would be asked to sign first
and there was no movement from
them; they seemed dazed. Seconds,
which seemed like hours, went by.
Then Foreign Minister Mueller arose,
followed by Minister of Colonies Bell
and Prof. Ans. their pompadoured
heads held up proudly, and marched
In single file behind the seats Of the
delegates of the Allies to the centre
aisle, where the treaty reposed.
Every eye in the great hall fol-
lowed them. 1t took but a moment
, for Mueller and then Bell to sign, the
other merely watching. Then with
out word, without sign of emo
ton, the little group around the fate
full table reformed and started back
as stiftiy as 1t came. This was at
, $40 O'Clock.
President solemn as He sigma.
l Scarcely had the Germans seated
themselves when President Wilson ad-
vanced. the honor of signing first for
the Allies and associated Powers fall
J ing to America because she was first
on the alphabetical list. Despite the
I fact that this was the moment of the
crowning triumph Of his life, the
Presidents face wore a stern expires
sion as he made his way around to
the treaty, followed in order by Secrs
). tary Lansing, Henry White, Col. E. N.
n House and Gen. Tasker ii. Bliss.
Again the chamber was absolutely
: still while the author of the fourteen
r points bent over the epochal volume
of which also he was coaathor
e As he turned from the table his face
wore smile denoting the triumph
y !, Of performance, and on his way bacl
e to his seat many Of the delegates and
n secretaries shook his hand in con
). graduation.
Great Britain'S delegates. headed by
ID Premier Lloyd George came next, fol
- lowed by the representatives OF hel
ir dominlons and colonies. Then a lit
N tie man in gray sitting between Presi
dent Wilson and Premier LloyC
George, his hands covered with gra!
gloves, arose and followed by hi
i fellow delegates Of France maUhet
" proudly TO the triumph Of his life, I,
n. the very spot where France had beel
At forced to sign away her chlldrel
el nearly fifty years ago and there h
brought them back.
Premier Clemenceau signed hi
v name quickly. then took another wa
n around the room TO his seat, wher
10 he engaged again In conversation wit
President Wilson, The japanese FOL