Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1920-01-13
VERSAILLES TREATY,
FORMALLY RATIFIED,
NOW IS IN EFFECT

| PARIS, Ian. 10.--Germany was at
! peace with the allies tonight.
! The treaty of Versailles, completed
after months of labor last June, was
declared formally in effect late to-
day. Exchange of Publications was
completed at All o'clock this after
noon.
The ceremony took place in the
clock room of the French foreign Of
flee. Baron Kurt Won Lersner and
Herr Won Sinsom, represented Ger
many. Premier. Clemenceau, presi-
dent of the peace conference, pre-
sided. The proceedings were simple.
First Won Lersner affixed his sigma
ture to the protocol, agreeing to the
allied demand for compensation for
the sinking of the informed German
fleet at Scapa Flow. This was COM
pIeted at 4 o'clock.
Then in the presence of representa-
tives of the fourteen allied powers
which had ratified the Versailles
pact, final exchange of notifications
was made and Premier Clemenceau
declared the treaty of Versailles in
effect.
Although he might have been pres
ent as a witness to the ceremony,
Hugh Wallace, the American ambas-
sador, did not appear. Since the
United States has not accepted the
II eaty, it was assumed Mr.. Wal
lace felt he should not be a witness
to the ceremony unless specifically
instructed by his government.
Premier Clemenccau. who presided
all through the long-drawn-out de-
bate attending the framing OF the
treaty and the subsequent argu-
ments over the terms of the protocol,
closed the ceremony with this curt
statement:
The protocol ending, the armistice
having been signed and notifications
having been exchanged, the treaty is
effective Immediately"
Following the ceremony, several OF
the allied delegates bowed to the
Germans, but did not shake hands
with them. Nations exchanging rati-
fications were Great Britain, France,
Italy, Japan, Belgium, Bolivia, Bra
III, Guatemala, Peru, Poland, Siam,
Czecho- Slovakia: Uruguay and Ger
many.
Immediately after the protocol
was signed. the allied leaders hand
ed a memorandum to The German
delegates outlining the unfulfilled
clauses of the armistice.
These included the delivery of s.
COT locomotive 10000 cars, Ger
many's failure to evacuate all parts
of Russia, the sinking of certain sub
marines which were to have Eee1l
turned over to The allies, failure to
deliver stolen works of art taken
from Belgium and France. the deliv-
cry OF agricultural machinery and
expectation of certain acronauticAl
materials in con traventiCn OF tn
agreement with the allies.
The memorandum pointed out that
within sixty days Germany must de-
liver five light cruisers and 10000
tons of dry docks as compensation
TOR the sinking of the interned fleet
at Scapa. Flow. Within ten days
she must furnish a list of all float
ing docks and tug boats.
Thereafter, the memorandum said.
the crews OF the Scapa Flow fleeS,
sow held prisoners by the allies.
will be repatriated.
Machinery end motors from two
German submarines must be deliv-
cred as compensation for sinking of
the U-48 against the agreem enl.
With the allies. The memorandum
d.so demanded payment for The
eronautical goods exported.
In case of failure to fulfill any Of
the allied demands, coercive meas
tres will be employed, the memo
;andum concluded.
Meantime, the supreme council and
tle other divisions OF the peace con-
ference continued to work at top
speed today. The council fixed the
date for the inaugural meeting of
the League of Nations as January
&c, at 1920 a. m.
It was decided that Leon Bour-
Geois, president of the French So
ciety for League of Nations, should
preside at the .irst meeting. He will
he one of the principal speakers with
Earl Curzon, of Great Britain.
In announcing final ratifications
of the treaty of Versailles pact
Premier Clemenceau invited Argen-
tine, Chile. Colombia. Spain, Para
quay, Salvador, Switzerland, Hol-
land, Persia, Venezuela and the
Scandinavian nations to become
members of the League of Nations.
PreTniers Lloyd George, Clemen-
ceau and Nitti met in secret session
to continue their discussion of the
Fiume question. 1t had been reported
earlier in the day that Lloyd George
and Nitti had presented their agree
nlent, said to have been reached in
London. to Premier Clemnceau and
that the Tiger" had agreed to it.
Presumably, however, this statement
was premature.
The present peace conference, it
was understood. will pass from ex
istence before January II. when the
now French cabinet assumes office.
The French desire to clean up all
loose ends. particularly the Italian
and Russian problems, it was said
turning over a clean slate to the