PEACE TREATY SIGNED
■ OFFICIAL :"NEWS RECEIVED BY SIR JAMES ALLEN TBpE SCENE AT VERSAILLES GERMAN DELEGATES HOPE FOR CONCESSIONS By TolcgrapE—Press Association-CkiDyrlelit ' ' ■ , ; (Extraordinary.) (Rec. June 2D, 5.5 p.m.) London, June 28. The Peace Treaty has been signed.—United Service. OFFICIAL NEWS IN WELLINGTON The Acting-Prime Minister (Sir Jam es Allen) announced yesterday tliat he had received official information that the Peace Treaty had been signed, but that it had yet to be ratified. MESSAGE TO THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF NEW ZEALAND
The following .cablegrams have been received and dispatched in connection with the signing of tho Peace Treaty:— June 28. From the Secretary of State for tho Colonies to the Governor-General - of NewZealand: "The Peace Treaty with Germany was signed by the representstives of the Allied and' Associated Powers, and by representatives of Germany, to-day. at 4 o'clock. The concluding article of the T reuty provides: ' That the first 'proces verbal 1 of the deposit of ratification will be drawn up as soon as the Treaty lias Tjeen ratified by Germany cn the one hand and by three of the principal A Hied and Associated Powers on the other hand; that from date of this first 'proces verbal* the Treaty will come into force between the high contracting parties who have ratified it;.' , That for the determination of all the periods of time provided for in the Treaty, this date will be the date of the coming into force of the Treaty, and that in all other respects the Treaty will enter into force for each Power at the date of the depos it of rntificationj 1 . "The date of ratification, i.e., of tho coming into force of the Peace Treaty, cannot be stated yet." V MESSAGE FROM THE KING <■ From His Majesty the King to the Governor-General of New Zealand: "The signing of the Treaty of Peace will lie received with deep thankfulness throughout the British Empire. This formal act brings to its concluding stages the terrible war which has devastated Europe and distracted the world. It manifests tho victory of the ideals of freedom and lihertv, for which wo have made untold sacrifices. I share my people's joy and thanksgiving, and earnestly pray that the coming years of peace may bring to them ever-increasing happiness and prosperity." ' , HIS EXCELLENCY'S REPLY ' i From tho Governor-General of New Zealand to His Majesty tho King: "X desire to associate myself with tho Government and people of New Zealand in respectfully expressing our sincere appreciation ot the message which' Your Majesty was graciously pleased to send through me on the occasion of the signing ■oof the Treaty of Peace.. As tho representative of the Sovereign in this Dominion I respectfully beg to.tender to Your Majesty, on behalf of- the inhabitants of these Islands, an assurance of our whole-hearted devotion .to tho Throne and loyalty to the Empire which has made such immense sacrifices to secure the freedom of the world. In conclusion, we earnestly trust that the signing of this Treaty which marks an epoch in history will also bo the herald to humanity of a new era of universal peace and: prosperity."
THE SIGNING AT VERSAILLES M. CLEMENCEAU PUTS A DIRECT QUESTION (Rec. Juno 29, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, June 28. Herman Mueller.and Johannes Bell have signed the Peace Treaty on Germany's behalf. The Chinese delegates wore absent, and refused to sign. M. Clemenceau asked the Germans adirect question—whether they were willing to sign. • 'The latter replied in llie affirmative. The German signatories said that they wore signing with the mental reservation that the German people would use every means to meet the terms.. Herr Mueller said he believed that the Entente Powers would eventually modify the terms of the Treaty.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE DELIVERY OF THE WAR CRIMINALS ! (Rec. June 29, 5.5 p.m.) ; , . \ Paris, June 26. The signing of'the Pence Treaty began at 2.20 p.m., Paris time. The Germans signed first, then M. Clenlenceau,. President Wilson,, and Mr. Lloyd George. ■ Herr Mueller, in a statement, said: "I bolievo the Entente Powers will not insist on the delivery of the Ivaiser and other high officers for trial." • The crowd cheered M. Clemenceau and Mr. Lloyd George as they emerged from the palace, soldiers joining in, while aeroplanes, swooped overhead—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. . PERSONAL NOTE ON MUELLER AND BELL (Roc. June 29, 5.5 p.m.;, •I . Paris, June 27. Herr Mueller, one of the peace signa tories, is one of the leaders of the Social Democrats, Herr Bell, the other signatory, is a lawyer from Essen,. He entered political life in 1912, and belongs to the Catholic party.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. A PROSAIC CEREMONIAL
(Rec. June 29, 11.20 p.m.) ' ' • Paris, June 28. The Peace Conference assembled lit three o'clock. The Germans i entered almost immediately, bowing several times in a dignified manner. M. Clemenceau ' then invited them to sign. They went to the table, and within a, couple of minutes their signatures, were attached. Then President Wilson, as head of the Americans, signed, followed by the British Empire representatives and those of France, Haw, Japau, and the other delegations. As soon as the signatures were appended salvos of artillery announced that the world's ponce had been signed. ■ At the last minute a stipulation was made in the Treaty allowing for the return of tlio German prisoners immediately Germany ratifies the Treaty. After signing the Treaty the German signatories departed for Germany.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. DESCRIPTION OP THE 'SCENE. (Bee. June ;10, 1.30 a.m.) Paris, Ju.ne 28. The Pcace Treaty was signed on the of the day a pistol shot at Serajevo set the world on fire. The plenipotentiaries began to arrive at 3.30. p.m. They ascended by the Staircase of Honour, passing through the Salle des Gardes and , the Queen's apurtments. Here they •' were marshalled before entering the galleries. Those apartments, which had been closed to the public for some years, presented a magnificent scene, with their sumptous tapestries and furniture of the time of Louis XIV. The preparations for the ceremony were simple and dignified. Tables covered with old gold draperies ran along one side of the hall, with cross tallies at either end. The extreme ends of the gallery were reserved for distinguished visitors and the Press, the latter occupying a spot wliero the German Empire was proclaimed in 187]. It was an interesting scene. The leading statesmen of the. civilised glebe were clustered round the tables in the Galeiic, des Glace?, while two almost unknown men signed "the document acknowledging the defeat of one of (lie mightiest empires. One involuntarily recalled great Gerilv.n mimes that figured throughout the war, but not one came to acknowledge his country's guiltMany treaties have been signed at Versailles, but .none fraught with such consequences to the world's liberty as this. As soon as Jlr. Jlassey had signed ho left with Jlr. Riley (the official reporter), motored to Paris, and caught tlie train for Havre, where he embarked on a destroyer which was to place him on board the llauretania off Spithead. Such troops as took part in lining the route outside the chateau wore field uniform. The occasion, however, was devoid of military character. Only seven regiments of cavalry and four of infantry took part, and there were no baiufc. The only dash of colour was given by I he resplendent uniforms of tho Republican Guard. The Guards, with drawn swords, and wearing silver and gold helmets with sweeping plumes, lined the marble, staircase in the Palace. It is rarely that all the great fountains in the Palace Gardens arc in play, but to-dav all wero in Great crowds lined ihe approaches to the chateau, and "regiments of cavalry lining tho route made a fine spectacle, with red and white pennons fluttering in the breoze. The sun was shining brightly when, at 2.30, the delegates began to Assemble and take their places in tho galleries. Jlr. Hughes, Sir Joseph Cook, and Mr. Jfassey, accompanied by Messrs. Carran, Deane, Latham, and Riley, wero among the firstcomers. There was an animated conversation among tho delegates as they waited for M. Clemenceau to declare the proceedings open.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asan.
GENERAL SMUTS SIGNS UNDER PROTEST 1 (Rec. June 29, 11.5 p.m.) Paris, June 28. General Smuts signed the Peace Treaty under protest, objecting t.o certain territorial settlements. 11a also argued for a reduction of the indemnities, owing to the impaired industrial conditions in E urope.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PRIME MINISTER'S STATEMENT TO PARLIAMENT (Rec. June 29, 11.20 p.m.) London, June 29. Mr. Lloyd George will address 'the House of Commons in regard to the Peace Treaty on Juiiy I.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. JOY BELLS IN LONDON PEACE DINNERS AND SALVOS (Eec. June 29, 11.5 p.m.) London, June 28. Peace dinners were arranged to-night at various leading hotels. A/wireless Press message from Paris reports that the Minister of War, at 8.47 p.m., wirelessed orders for sustained artillery salvos throughout the country from Strasburg and Metz to Morocco. _ . . When the London city bells clashed out their message announcing the signing of peace at 3.10 p.m., London stood still for a few seconds iu tremendous tension. It was easily surmised what the bells meant. For those who had contributed to the triumph of right over might peace had come, and the sacrifices mhde 'by the dead were perhaps realised for tlio first time. There was a tinge of'sadness in the welcome news, and London dicf not foiget in its joy the memory of those who had fallen for the freedom of tlia world. Groups met ill the streets and were mutually congratulatory. "The nows was quickly communicated to the theatres and kinemas, where it was flashed on the screens, the audiences spontaneously rising and fervently Bingihg the National Anthem. There wa9 i;reat enthusiasm everywhere.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GREAT OVATION TO THEIR MAJESTIES (Rec. June 29, 11.20 p.m.) London, June 28. The chief incident in London following the receipt of the news of the signing was the rush of immense crowds to Buckingham Palace, demanding a greeting to Their Majesties. The appearance of the King and Queen and their family was greeted with a prolonged aad thrilling display of the most affectionate enthusiasm.—United Service. THE NEWS IN PARIS (Eec. June 29, 11.5 p.m.) Paris, June i'i. Cannon boomed out at 3.4 A p.m. Crowds celebrated the news in the Paris streets—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PRESIDENT WILSON'S FAREWELL. MESSAGE (Rec. June 30, 1.80 a.m.) i ' ■ Paris, June 28 • President Wilson, before leaving Fiance, sent a message to the French people, in which he said that, looking back oyer'these eventful months,;he had a memory not only Of the Conference and hard work, but also of innumerable' acts of generosity and friendship which mode him feel how genuine the-sentiments'of France were towards the people' - of America. Deeply glad as lie was to go home, he left France with genuino regret. His thoughts had 1/en enlarged by the privilege of association with her public men, and he was, pj/foundly grateful for her unstinted hospitality.—Reuter. «-■ THE NEWS IN SYDNEY (Rec. June 30, 1.30 a.m.) Sydney, June, 29. Beyond the flying of a few flags and appreciative announcements in the churches, ihere wai iiitle in the way of a demonstration for the signing of I'eace to-day. At eight o'clock to-morrow morning the New Zealanrl'and other warships in the harbour will fire a salvo of 101'guna. Other functions here and in the other capitals will bo held to celebrate the,occasion—Press Assn.
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Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 235, 30 June 1919, Page 5
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1,892PEACE TREATY SIGNED Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 235, 30 June 1919, Page 5
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