Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-01-15
PEACE TREATY IS
NOW IN EFFECT
Document Is Signed In Paris
Which Officially Ends The
World War

Paris, IAN 1.-THE Treaty OF YER
eailles was formally signed Saturday
afterncoa, .kuS bringing the world war
to an official close. Representatives OF
the powers which have approved the
treaty gathered in the Clock Hall of the
French mi0stry of foreign affairs, left
their certificates OF ratification and
signed the minutes which placed the
treaty In effect.
Just previous to the ceremony English.
French. Italian and japanese representa-
tivcs met Baron Kurt Won Lersner and
Herr Won Simsor. who had signed the
protocol by which Germany agrees to
pay for sinking the German warships at
Scapa Flow and carry out the terms Of
the armistce not yet fulfilled
The formal treaty was signed first by
Won Lcrnsner for Germany then Lloyd
George Of England, followed by Premiers
Clenenceau of France, Nitti of Italy and
Baron Matsui Of Japan. Signatures were
then affixed by delegates of Belgium,
Bolivia. Brazil. Guatemala. Panama Peru,
Poland, Siam, Czechoslovackia and
Uruguay. The United States, China,
Greece and Roumania not having rati-
fled the treaty with Germany, did not
sign.
There was no representative of the
United States present at the ceremony.
The first meeting of the Council of the
League of Nations will be held at Paris
next Friday morning.
Paris, Jan 1.-THE proceedings of
ratification began without formality.
Premier Lloyd George of Great Britain
following the German delegates at the
signature table. He was succeeded by
Premier Clemenceau of France. who.
on returning to his seat after signing.
stopped in front of Baron Won Lersner
and Herr Won Simson. The German re-
personalities arose and bowed to NJ.
Clemenceau who said few words
which were inaudible to the spectators.
The Premier than passed on to his
place without shaking hands.
This incident was watched with the
most intense interest in dead silence.
II was noticed that Baron Won I.arsner
made a movement as If to put cut his
hand, but seemed to check himself as
he saw that NJ. Clemenceau kept his
gray gloved hands at his side.
After the ceremony it was learned
that Premier Clemenceau's remark to
the German representatives was to the
effect that he would this evening give
orders for the repatriation of the Ger
man war prisoners.
The ceremony was characterized by
formal politeness to the exclusion Of
all cordiality. excepting between the
allied delegates. NJ. Clemenceau and
Mr.. Lloyd George, sitting at the head
of the table chatted smilingly with
Captain Andre Tardieu, Louis Klotz
and Georges Leygues of the French de-
legation throughout the proceedings.
Baron Won Lersner was pale and grave
and exchanged remarks in a serious
tone with Herr Won Simson.
At the end of Nj. Clemenceau's re-
marks all the delegates rose and the
Germans. after slight hesitation. led
the way out without either saluting or
exchanging words with any of the
other delegates.
The outstanding comment tonight
on the ceremony is that it leaves the
United States the only power which was
actively at war with Germany not now
on peace basis, That was the note
sounded by Bron Kurt Won Lersner.
head of the German Peace delegation
in a statement to The Associated fress
Immediately after the ceremony.
II am naturally happy that peace mas
finlly become effective Bron Won
Lersner said. MY great regret is that
the United States is the only couatry
with which Germany is still in state
of war. ! hope. however, that this sit
uation will soon be changed
Execution of the Treaty of Versailles
imposes upon Germany the heaviest
sacrifices ever borne by nation in
modern times We have lost in the
West and in the East territories that
belonged to Prussia for many centuries.
49,.