New-York tribune., 1920-01-11
Berlin Delegates Ase Firs,<
to Atta..b Signatures; ;
Lloyd C""r ge AMI Gle
menceau FOLLOW Them
Strict FormaIity
Marks Proceeding
Won Lersner Moves to Of
fer His Hand, b,,t Pre-,
mier Ignores Action

PARIS, Jan. 10 (By The Associ.
ated Press) - Ratifcations Of the
Treaty of Versailles were ex-
changed, and peace between Ger
many, France, Great Britain and the
other Allied and associated powers.
with the exception of the United
States, became effective at 4:l6
this afternoon.
The ceremony took place in the
Clock Hall at The French Foreign
Ministry. Previously Baron Kurt
Won Lersner, head of the German
mission, signed the protocol of No
vember l, providing for reparation
for the sinking Of the Gcrman war
ships at Scapa Flo'c aid % ,nsnrc
the carryin. ~, of the armistic
terms. The ,e ~.ng o. this docu-
ment. sook pl re the Office of the
Minister " Soseign Affairs.
Germans Last To Arrive
Baron Won Lersner and Herr von
Slmson, the other German represen-
tative, were among the last of those
to arrive for the days ceremonies.
They passed into the Foreign Office
shortly after Premier Clemenceau,
who, as usual, was given an ovation
as he stepped out of his car.
The delegates assembled in the pri.
vate office of the Minister of Foreign
A1airs, where at secret session the
'rotocol was signed at 4:o9 o'clock.
Led by Premier Clemenceau, the del
egatcs then filed into the famous Clock
Room, where w-re held the pienary
sessions of the peace conference that
fixed the terms y: the treaty. Baron
Won Lersner ani Herr Won Simson were
the last to eater nc room and the
first to sign TIE a .-utes recording the
exchange of ratifications.
The proceedings were SIMPLE Pre-
mier Lloyd George Of Great Britain
followed the German delegates a. the
signature table. He was succC eded by
Premier Clemenceau Of France, who on
returning to his seat after signing
stopped in front of Baron Won Lersrler
and Herr Won Simson. The German
representatives arose and bo we'd TO NJ
Ciemenceau, who said a few words
which were inaudiblc to the spectators
The Premier then passed on to MS
place without shaking hands. After
waro it was stated tna Premier -
menceaus remark TO the German repre-
sentatives was TO the effect that ne
would this evening give o. derg for the
repatriation of the German war prIs-
Oners.
Ceremony Purely Formal
This incident was watched with the
most intense interest in dead silence
1t was noticed that Baron Won Lersner
made movement as if to pat out his
hand, but seemed to check h.mseir, as
he saw that NJ. Cemenceau kept his
gray gloved hands at his side 1t was
learned, however, that Immediately
after the signing of the protocol N.
Clemenceau shook hands with Won
Lersner and Won Simson.
Premier Nitt, of Italy: Baron Matsui.
the Japanese representative. and Paul
Hymans, the Belgian Foreign Minister,
followed Premier Clemenceau in the
order named in signing the minutes on
the exchange of ratiiications Then the
delegates of the other ratifying nations
signed in alphabetical sequence. M.
Clemenceau then rose and said:
"Tne protocol having been signed, as
we'll as the minutes recording the ex-
change Of ratifications. | have the
honor to declare that the Treaty of
Versailles is in full effect and that its
terms will be executed integrally."
The ceremony was characterized by
formal politeness, to the exclusion of
all cordiality, excepting among the
Allied delegates. NJ. Clemenceau and
to,, 81.
of the table, chatted smilingly with
Captain Andre Tardieu, Louis Klotz
and Georges Leagues, of the French
delegation. throughout the proceed
ings. Baron Won Lersner was pale and
grave, and exchanged remarks in Sc
rious tone with Herr Won Sinson.
Germans Depart in Silence
At the end of NJ. Clemenceau's re-
marks all the delegates arose, and the
Germans, after slight hesitation, led
the way out. without either salating or
exchanging words with any of the
other delegates.
The absence of American representa-
tives was particularly remarked. Up
American Ambassador, was in doubt
as to whether he would receive in
structions to attend the ceremony.
Finally, hearing nothing from Wash
ington. he returned to the secretary of
the peace conference the invitations
that Aad been sent h.m.
The adoption os the alphabetical
sequence for the afAxing of signatures
to tn. minutes recording the exchange
of rstifications led To the lesser powers.
after Great Britxin, France, Italy,
Japan and Belgium, signing as follows:
Bolivia. Brazil, Guatemala. Panama.
Peru, Poland. Siam, Czecho-Slovakiai
(Tzechoslovakia) and Uruguay,
(Psnama was not mentioneI In The
list of the nations to take
part In the exchange of ratifcations