PEACE TREATY SIGNED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1997, 1 July 1919, Page 3

PEACE TREATY SIGNED.

REJOICINGS IN LONDON AND PARIS.

London,‘June 28, The Peace Treaty has been signed.

THE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS.

The following cables have been received and dispatched in connection with the signing of the Peace Treaty: — From the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor-Gen-eral of New Zealand: —

June 28th. —The Peace Treaty with Germany was signed by representatives of the Allied and associated Powers and by representatives of Germany to-day at 4 o’clock. The concluding Article of the Treaty provides that the first process verbal of deposit of ratification will be drawn up as soon as the Treaty has been ratified by Germany on the one hand and by three of the principal Allied and associated Powers on the other hand; that from the date of this first process verbal the Treaty will come into force between the big'll contracting parties who

have ratified it; that for the de-

termination of all periods of time provided for in the Treaty this date will be the date of coming into force for each Power at the

date of deposit of its ratification. The date of ratification, i.c., of the coming into force of the Peace Treaty, cannot be slated yet. From His Majesty the King, to the Governor-General of New Zealand ;

The signing of the Treaty of Peace will be 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 the victory of the ideals of freedom and liberty for which wc have made untold sacrifices.

I share my people’s joy and thanksgiving, and earnestly pray that the coming years of peace may living to them ever-increasing happiness and prosperity.

From the Governor-General of New Zealand to His Majesty the King;—

I desire to associate myself with the Government and people of New Zealand in respectfully expressing our sincere appreciation of the message which Your Majesty was graciously pleased to send through me on the occasion of the signing of the.Trcaty of

Peace. 5 As the represent a live of the Sovereign in this Dominion, I respectfully heg to tender to Your Majesty, on behalf of the inhabitants of these islands, an assurance of our whole-heart cd devotion to the Throne and loyalty to the Empire which has made such immense sacrifices to secure the freedom of the world. In conclusion we earnestly trust (hat 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. London, June 28.

A wireless Press message from Paris reports that' the Minister for War at 8.47 p.m. wirelessed orders for sustained salvoes throughout the country from Slrasburg and Metz to Morocco.

When (he city bells clashed out, announcing the signing of the Treaty at 3.40 p.m., London stood still for a few seconds with tremendous tension. It was easily surmised what the hells meant. For those who had contributed to the, triumph of right over might, Peace had come, and the sacrifices made by the dead were, perhaps, realised fVr the first lime. There was a tinge of sadness in the welcome news, and London did not forget in its joy the memory of those who had fallen for the freedom of the world. Groups met in the streets mutually congratulatory, The news was quickly communicated to the theatres and cinemas, where it was dashed on screens, the audiences spontaneously rising and fervently singing the National Anthem. There is great enthusiasm everywhere. -Paris, June 28.

Tiie Peace Conference assembled at throe o’clock. The Germans entered almost immediately, bowing several times in a dignified manner. M. Clemeneeau invited them to sign. They went to the table, and within a couple of minutes their signature? were attached. Then President Wilson, as head of the Americans, signed, followed by the British Empire representatives, and those of France, Italy, Japan, and other delegations. As soon as the signatures were appended salvoes of artillery announced that the -world’s Peace had been signed. With all the momentous potentialities of the Treaty, the signing could not have been a more prosaic ceremonial than was to-day’s. There was nothing picturesque outside of the beautiful hall itself. There were no speeches or incidents, and the process of signing became purely mechanical, and somewhat dull to the onlookers. Some four hundred specially-invited guests were present, including many dignitaries, generals, and admirals of the various Powers. As the last signatures were appended batteries of guns in Versailles Gardens bred salvoes, and numbers of aeroplanes flitted around the Palace, As soon as Hr Massey.signed he

left, motored" to Paris, and caught train for Havre, where he embarked on a destroyer which is Mo place hhii aboard the Mauretania 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 bands. The only dash of colour was given by the resplendent uniforms of the Republican Guards. The Guards, with drawn swords, and weaving 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 are in play, but to-day all were in operation. Great crowds lined the approaches to the Chateau, and the regiments of cavalry lining the route made a fine spectacle, with red and white pennons fluttering in the breeze. The sun was shining brightly, when, at 2.30, the delegates began to assemble,, and take their places in the galler-

Mr Hughes, Sir Joseph Cook, and Mr Massey were among the firstcomers.

WHEN THE SIGNING BEGAN,

CHEERS FOR CLEMENCE AH, WILSON, AND LLOYD GEORGE. Paris, June 28. ..The .signing of Lie Peace Treaty began at 2.20 p.m., Paris time, Tlie Germans signed first, then M. Clemenecau, President Wilson,, and Mr Lloyd George. Herr Mueller, in a statement, said: “1 believe the Entente will not insist on the delivery of the Kaiser and other high officers for trial." The crowd cheered M. Clemenceau and Mr Lloyd George as they emerged from the Palace, the soldiers joining in. Aeroplanes swooped overhead. THE SIGNATORIES FOR GERMANY. Paris, June 28. Herr Herman Mueller and Herr Johannes Bell have signed the Peace Treaty on Germany’s behalf. The Chinese delegates were absent, and refused to sign. M, Clemenceau asked the German delegates a direct quest ion as to whether they were willing to sign. The latter replied in (he affirmative. The Gorman signatories said they wore signing with a mental reservation. The German people would use every means to meet the terms. Herr Mueller said he believed (he Entente would eventually modify the terms of the Treaty. Paris, June 27. Her]’ Mueller is one of the leaders of the Social Democrats. Herr Bell, the oilier signatory, is a lawyer from Essen. lie entered political life in 11112, and belongs lo the Catholic Party. London, June 27. The blockade of Germany will continue until (he Treaty is ratified. The Treaty will be considered complete when ratified by three Powers. It is anticipated that its submission to the United Stales Senate will involve delay, whereas it will he speedily ratified by England, France, and Italy. SPEECH BY MR. LLOYD GEORGE. London, June 21). The King, Prince of Wales, Prince Albert, and a vast crowd Avelcomed Mr Lloyd George and other delegates, including Mr Hughes, at Victoria station, on their return from Paris. Eiye hundred Australians formed a guard of honour outside the station. Responding to an ovation, Mr Lloyd George appeared at: the upper window of his residence, at 10, Downing Street. He said: ‘‘A just ponce has been concluded by the labours and sacrifices of men of all classes and all races. A peace charged with hope has been Avon for the Avorld. I (rust (ho unity of spirit, concord and co-operation which Avon this great peace will continue, and help to establish augav world'Avon by (he sacrifices of millions of valiant men. Tire hideous slaughter of brave men lias ended in a righteous peace. Let us thank God, therefore, and rejoice in the great victory, nut in the spirit of boastfulness Avhich brought about Germany’s downfall, but in a spirit of reverence Avorthy of the noble sacrifices.’’