Republican farmer., 1920-01-16
German Delegates Last to Enter Office and First to Sign Minutes Recording Exchange Clemenceau Declares Pact to Be In Effect.

Paris, Jan. 1O-The treaty of Versailles, making peace be- tween Germany and the ratify- ing allied powers, was put in- to effect at 4 :15 o'clock this af- ternoon by the exchange of notifications.
 The entire ceremony, which took place in the Clock Hall at the French Foreign Ministry, was completed by 4:16 o'clock. Previously Baron Kurt Won Iers. ner, head of the German mission signed the protocol of November | providing for reparation for .he sink Ing Of the German warships at Scapa Flow and to insure the carving cut | of armistiee terms.
 The signing of this document oc- cured in. the offices of the minister of | foreign affairs.
 | Baron Von Lersner and Herr von simson, the other German represent | atve, were among the last of those to arrive at the foreign ministry for the days ceremonies. They passed into the foreign office shortly after Premier CIemenceau, who as usual was given an ovation as he stepped out of his car.
 The delegates assembled in the prf- vate cffice of the minister of foreign affairs where at a secret session the l protocol was signed at 4:09 o'clock. Le1 by Premier Clemenceau, the 1 delegates then filed into the famous 1 Clock Room. where were held the p1enary sessions of the peace confer 1 snce that fixed the terms of the treaty. Baron von Lersner and Herr von Simson were the last to enter the | room and the first to sign the min utes recording the exchange of rati. fcaions
 The proceedings began without any ceremony, Premier Lloyd George of Great Britain, following the Ger l man delegates at the signature table ! He was succeeded by Premier Clemen-
 ceau of France who, on returning to his seat after signing, stopped in front
 of Baron Won Lersner and Herr Von Simson. The German representa-
 tives arose and bowed to M. C1emen-
 ceau, who said a few words which were inaudib1e to the spectators. The
 premier then passed on to his place
 without shaking hands.
 "
 most intense interest in a dead si-
 lence. It was noticed that Baron
 Von Lersner made a movement as if to put out his hand, but seemed to
 check himself as he saw that NJ.
 Clemenceau kept his, gray-g1oved
 hands at his side.
 Premier Nitti of Italy. Baron Mat sui, the Japanese representative, and Paul Hymans, the Belgian foreign minister, followed Premier Clemen-
 ceau in the order named. Then the
 delegates of the other ratifying na- tions signed in alphabetical sequence The entire ceremony was over al 4:16 o'clock when M. Clemenceau 1 rose and said:
 "The protocol having been signed
 as well as the minutes recording the
 exchange of notifications, have tht | honor to declare that the treaty O. l Versailles sis in fuN effect and tha
 it's terms will be executed integrally.'
 The ceremony was characterized by
 formal politeness to the exclusion 0: all cordial1ty, excepting between the
 allied delegates. M Clemenceau ana
 MT. Lloyd George, sitting at the head
 of the table, chatted snillingly witt
 Captain Andre Tardieu, Louis Klot; l and Georges Leygues of French dei eSaLlOn, CnrOuSnOuL the prOceedl1lBS
 Baron Won Lersner was pale ant
 grave and exchanged remarks in SC
 rious tone with Herr Von Simson.
 At the end of M. Clemenceau's re
 marks all the delegates rose and the Germans after slight hesitation led thu way out without either saluting or ex changing words with any of the othel delegates.
 The absence of American represeu g tatives particularly remarked. Up t | the last hour Hugh c. Wallace, tn d American ambassador, was in doup r as to whether he would receive in structions to attend the ceremony ? Finally, hearing nothing from Wash = ington, he returned to the secretar