PEACE TREATY SIGNED.

Taihape Daily Times, 30 June 1919, Page 5

PEACE TREATY SIGNED.

M A Oflicial: The German delegates have iknmsigned the _Peaee T.rea'ty, which 110 W ':“‘%:}.Waitß ratification. i . _ _ A SHORT CZBREMO NY. . in PARIS, June 28. 9’ it The Peace Conference assembled at.3 o’clock. The Germans entered ' almost immediately, bowing several times in a dignified -manner. M. Clemenceau invited them ‘to sign. They went to the table, and within a. couple a of minutes their signatures were -“K attached. Then President-Wilson, as head of the Americans, signed, fol- " lowed by the British Empire represen- ,_ _ta'.t.ives, and those of France, Italy, “’.Tap-a.n, and other delegations. As soon as the signatures, were appended sal--1 trees, of artillery announced that the : world’s peace had been signed. p 'Gr:lup_:ANs SIGN WITH MENTAL T RESERVATION. l ' ’ LONDON. June 23. a. direét ‘question whether they were willing ‘to sign. The latter replied in the afiirmative. The German signatories said they were signing with a mental I'eservation. The German people would use every means to meet the . terms. Mueller said he believed the En- ‘ tente would eventually modify the; terms of the Treaty. ‘ ——-- I E’ ~ GREAT NERVOUSNESS IN i 5 ' ‘ _ GERMANY. I .’ ‘ : : BERLIN, June 27, i , Noske’s decree forbidding a railway, strike. incensed the :_workers’ leaders, who decided. to stop food trains.’ Other I strikes are threatened. - V I have ,been . arrested. There is great pnervousiness. Revolution is feared. ' R ~ ,_ Soldiers ppussers emf iD. .Grrd7r vb ’ T‘ Soldiers suppressed disturbances in T‘ northern ‘Suburbs of Berlin. Two per- : sons Were killed. ‘ up Martial law was proclaimed at; , Frankfort. An order was given to the § . troops to clear the streets.‘ Seven were '1 milled. pp r ' I E Hamburg is quieter, I

f AFTER THE SIGNING. 2 3 ‘PARIS, June 28. , The crowd cheered M. Clemenceau and Mr Lloyd George as they emerged . from the palace, soldiers joining, while ',,aer:)planes swooped overhead. , , At the last minute a stipulation was made the Treaty’ allowing the return ,of ‘German prisoners. ininiediately Germany ratifies the treaty. ' I After psignrning, the German signaV ‘series departed for Germany. V Mueller, ‘one of the _Peace signatories, isone of the leaders of the Social Democrats. Bell, the other signatory, is a lawyer from Essen. He entered political life in 1912. He helongs to the Catholic Party. COMPARATIVE ABSENCE Ol‘ POM? ,_ PARIS, June‘ 28. With all the momentous poteiit.ialitics of the Tl"3‘aty, 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 4 speeches or incidents, and the_ process ,of signing became purely mechanical lggiand somewhat dull to the onlo'ol'(ers. V Scnlc‘l?fou:' hundred specially!--invited guests were present, including many dignatories, generals, and admirals of the various Powers". As the last signatures were appenlded, batteries of guns in Versailles gardens fired salvoes, and numbers of aeroplanes flitted around the palace. Such troops as took part in liningj ‘HIO I'OlltC outside the ch:at(3gl.u wore field » uniform. The occasion, however, was] gtlevoid of military character, only; sc~ve_nvregimcn’rs of cavalry and four: _ regiments of infantry ‘took part, anal there were no bands. The may 5.3311 of colour was given 'by,there§'plemlent I uniforms of the Republican Gum-as_; A with drawn swords. and wearing silver” I and gOld‘ holl.ll9ts with 5“-ecpingl .pluAmes, lined thehmarblé Sfflll'o.駢u in; .’the palace. It is" rarely that all th,-3 Tgreat fountains of the palace gardens’ are in play, but to-day"all W-.l'(. in operation, r ’ V. Great erovvids lined‘ 'thé"l{;.pproaches_. v to the chateau, and theregiments of I L. cayalry lining the ro_i_lté“ made a fine ,‘ ffspectacle with redland "wh'ite' pennonsl '”flt_'vtt'éring’iu the breeze. ' The"snn was. g,:s_b'ining brightly whemneé 2.30, the d-.».§ ixloszatesp began to alssiaifihle and take’ _, M places in thefigalleries. Messrs Hughes,» Cook. and Ma;'ssey_.t accom~ f by A Messrs Garran, Dana.-_ it i.am"l-«Riley, Wei-ex a~non'g thel There was animfit-c~'l cunamong the delegates "as they.

waite<l_,fo,r M. Cl'eluenceau to declare the proceedings -open. M Plenipotentaries began to arrive at 3.30. They ascended by the Stair-case of Honour, passing through the Sulle des Gardes and the Queen’.s apart.ments. Here they were4lnal'shslllc'.l before entering the galleries. These ap-p-artments which had been closed to the public for some years, presented a magnificent scene with their sumptuous tapestries and furniture of Louis XlV.’s time. In the Galeric preparations for the ceremony were sirnple and dignified. Tables eovered with old gold ‘draperies ran along one side of the hall, with cross tables at ei'ther end. The extreme ends «of the Galeric were reserved for distinguished visitors and press, the latter occupying the spot where the German Empire was proelaiined in 1871.

SIGNING OF THE TREATY.

5 . ARRIVAL OF GERMAN DE- ‘ LEGATES. INDIVIDUALLY DESCRIBED AN INCIDENT TPYICAL OF . GERMAN’ MENTALITY. ‘ 3 Received 8_45 a.m. PARIS, June 27. Mr. Murdoch wrffes there ’are great preparations for Peace signature. Troops, I including magnificently mounted cavalry had a final reheafsal for what the ‘French nation regards as noblest and most hopéful moment in all history. The city is beautifully decorated with an outburst of flowers and flags. All public places are en fete. and the roadway to Versailles is like a rainbow with coloured ribbona

M_ Clemenceau is everywhere, overseeing decorations; The signing will bev<lone"af; four tables. The first for themain treaty; the 'second‘for the Protocol; third for the treaty; and the fourth where» only the Great Powers will go for the Rhineland agreement. The selection of German delegates has failed"to please the French newspapers whiéh—_a.sk: “Who are these? people, obscurities and nonentities chosell in ol‘de_r not to impress the pcople’s imagination?” Wiser heads point out that Germany could not get anyone else to.come to Versailles, and, l anyhow, ‘the signatures are Completelyj binding. T . l Von Heme] plaintiv‘eLy /announced‘ he could not be a signatory because ‘ his wife telegraphed she and her; friends » would never speak to him] again. .. ‘

A rough cobbler, Gicsberts backed out of signing at the last moment, while Lcincrt’s courage was unequa‘Z to his notorious love of fame. Mueller, one of the signatories, came to Paris’ in July, 1914, !to tell the French Socialists that the German Socialist party would never vote a war credit. He was then a humble personage, now he is Foreign Minister. BeTl, the other signatory, is an obscure member of the Erzberger party, and Was‘Ministar for the Colonies, in Schememann’s Cabinet; now he is Minister for Railways .'

Special trains £O-night brought the greatest figures, in the war to Versailles 'to witness the signing, including Haig, Beatty, Henry Wilson and 01'/hCI'S.V\VhO steadfastly refused to meet the Germans until tfie treaty is signed and counter-signed. The train bringing the German delegates was four hours‘ late.

The French War Office prepared ‘for demobilisation, as soon as ever the treaty is signed, demobilising everyone over thirty. The general feeling is that though Germany signs the treaty acknowledging the Crime of 1914, promising repentance, rep'aration and amendment, complete dcmob~ ilisation is still impossible. Foch declares though the treaty may be signed, we must not relax for an instant our surveillance.

The Americans Pkoposo to send troops home at the rate of ten thousand daily but a wateh.on the Rhine will be maintained. President Wilson leaves immediately the treaty is signed. He will catch a steamer at Brest for America_ The Dominion delegates depart on Sunday. Some British delegates remain in order to conclude minor_ negotiations.

' A typical; instance of German imentality occurred when von‘ Heme! Etc-day demanded: a copy of ‘the treaty }which the delcgatesyt-are going to !sign in order to compare the text.‘Clemenceau replied they were not suplplying fthc text, but wer giving a for11113] assurance that the treaty was the samein word and substance as that %which the Germans‘ accepted. A WILSON S ADDRESS TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. WHAT THE TREATY HAS DONE , - Received 8.45 am. A _ WASHNIGTON} June 28. President. ,WilsQn, in ah address to“ the American people,‘ said: The treaty if ratified, ‘would rugiish the charter of a new ooltder world affairs_

}lt’s severity was due to the great wrongs Germany did. It imposes noflthing Germany cannot do ,and ends the domination of the selfish men ‘who built up an Empire for the ‘gratification of their own ends. It does away with the right of conquest, and provides helpful co-operation ‘befitween Governments. It recognises the lnrralienable rights of nationality, and ‘furnishes guarantees of peace for the future hitherto non-existent, and is Ha deep ground for satisfaction and confident hope. ITALIAN DELEGATION. Received June 30, 8.45 21.111. LONDON, June 24. The new Italian delegation to the Peace Conference comprises Signor Timoni, Foreign Minister (chief delegate), and Senator Soialoja, Fcrraris, Marconi, and Deputy Sres-pti. l NOTABLE MESSAGES. WELLINGTON, Jffife 29 The following cables have been received and despaftched in connection with the signing of the Peace Treaty. OFFICIAL NOT'IFICATION' .r From the Secretary of ‘State for the Colonies to the Governor—Gneneral, New Zealand, June 28th: The Peace Treaty with Germany was signed by the refprescntatives of ‘the Allied and assozciatcd Powers and by representatives 'of Germany to-day at 4 o’clock. . . ‘ The concluding Article of the Treaty provided that the first process (verbal) of the deposit of ra3‘tifica‘tion willf be drawn up as soon as the Treaty has f ‘been ratified by Germany on the one: hand and by three of the principal ‘AI-I lied and associated Powers on the; other hand; that from the date of this 4 »firs't process the yerbal Treaty will‘ come into force betwecn'tlie high‘ contracting. parties who have ratified 3 it; that for the "determination of all] periods of time provided for in the‘ Treaty, this date will be the date of! the coming into force of the Treaty,i and that in all other reiiieéts the‘ Treaty will enter into forée for each Powr at the date of the deposit of‘ its ratification, the date of ra'tifica-M tion, i_e., of the coming into force of’ the Peace. Treaty, cannot be stafedi yc‘t.

l THE KING'S MESSAGE. ll From His Majesty the King to the Governor’-General of New Zealand: iThe signing of tlie ‘l‘r'e‘aty of Peace will be received With deep 'thallkfullness thl'oughouf"tTle British '.[<lmpire. This formal act brings to its concludiing 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 we have made untold sacrifices I share my people’s- prayer that the gleaming yehrs of Peaeefrnay bring to rthem ever increasing happiness and i prosperity. LORD LIVERPOOLCS REPLY. From the Governor-General. I desire ‘to associate myself with the Government and people of New Zealand in ‘respectfully expressing sincere ap{preciation of the message your Ma,jest.y was graciously pleased to ]send, through me, on the occasion of (the signing of the Treaty of Peace. fAs representative of the sovereign of ‘this Dominion,‘ I respectfully beg to ‘tender your Majesty, on behalf of the linhabitunts of these Islands, an aslsurance of our whole-‘hearted devotion to the throne and the loyalty which made such immense sacrifices to secure the freedom of the world. 1111 conclusion, we earnes'tly trust the lsigning of this Treaty. which marks an epoch in history, will also be the ‘herald of humanity to a new era of ‘universal peace and prosperity. 3 .._............. l SIR ANDREW RUSSELUS MESSAGE. HASTINGS, this day. , On receiving the official lIGW3 that peace had been signed, General Sir-l Andrew Russell handed the following! imessage to the Press Association:—! “Congratulations to all those who have I served in the war in that peace has 7 aput the seal of success on your work" and especially to those seriously‘ wounded, and to relatives and friends I of those who have laid. down theiri lives, in that their sacrifice has not: been in vain.” THE NEWS IN TAIHAPE_ ' _ At 5.30 last night‘ an “Extraordinlary” ‘press message was received, stat. ling that peace had “been signed, and‘ an r “extra” announced the fact; throughout the town shortly before; 6. During the evening refereifces} were made to signing‘ ofpeace ‘by the preachers in‘ the churches. I ‘ This morning flags were flown from! most of thebusiness places, and on a‘ good many, private dwellings. On the‘! PbSt'O‘flicc flagstaff were exllihited the flags of the Allied nations, ' crowned} Fby the Union Jack. ‘Motor cars and

other vehi_cles sported what flags could be procured.” Thefe was no demonstration or public function.