DIGNIFIED CEREMONIAL AT VERSAILLES.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 154, 30 June 1919, Page 5

DIGNIFIED CEREMONIAL AT VERSAILLES.

GERMANS SIGN WITH MENTAL RESERVATIONS. STILL HOPING TOR MODIFICATION' OF TERMS. BLOCKADE CONTINUES TILL RATIFICATION OF TREATY. (By Catle.—Fress Association.—Copyright.) PARIS, June 29. r ■ The anniversary of the day on which a pistol shot at Serajevo set the World ablaze brought peace again. It was an interesting scene. The leading statesmen of the civilised globe clustered round tables in the Galerie dcs Glaces, while two, almost unknown, signed a document acknowledging the defeat of one of the mightiest empires. One involuntarily recalled the great German names figuring throughout the war, but not one came to acknowledge his country's guiilt. Many treaties have been signed at Versailles, but none fraught with such consequences to the world's liberty as this. 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 End somewhat dull to the onlookers. Some 400 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 the

Versailles gardens fired salvoes, and numbers of aeroplanes flitted around the palace. Such troops as took part in lining the route outside the chateau wore field uniform. The occasion, however, was devoid of a 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 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 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 their red and white pennons fluttering in the breeze. -= EVERY MEANS TO MEET THE TERMS. The sun was shining brightly when at 2.30 the delegates began to assemble and take their places in the galleries. Mr. W. M. Hughes, Sir Joseph Cook, and Mr. W. F. Massey were among the first comers. There was an animated conversation among the delegates as they waited ior M. Clemeneeau to declare the proceedings open. The plenipotentiaries began to arrive at 3.30, and ascended by the staircaEe of honour, passing through the Salle dcs Gardes and the Queen's apartments. Here they were marshalled before entering? the galleries. These apartments, which had been closed to the public for some years, presented a magnificent scene with their sumptuous tapestries and furniture of the time of Louis XTV. In the Galerie preparations for the ceremony were simple and dignified. The tables, covered with old gold draperies, ran along one side of

the hall, with cross tables at cither end. The extreme ends of the Galerie ■were reserved for distinguished visitors and the Press, the latter occupying the spot where the German Empire was proclaimed in 1871. The Conference assembled at three 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 of minutes their signatures were attached. Then Mr. Wilson, as the head of the American delegation, signed, followed by the British Empire representatives, and those of France, Italy, Japan, and the other delegations. As soon as the signatures were appended salvoes of artillery announced that the world's peace had been signed. At the last moment a stipulation was made in the terms allowing the return of the German prisoners immediately Germany ratines the treaty. After signing, the German signatories departed for Germany. The crowd cheered M. Clemenceau and Mr. Lloyd George as they emerged from the palace, soldiers joining in, while aeroplanes swooped overhead. Herman. Mueller and Johannes Bell signed on Germany's behalf. The Chinese delegates were absent and refused to sign. M. Clemenceau asked the Germans the direct question whether they were willing to sign. The latter replied in the affirmative. The German signatories said they were signing with a mental reservation. The German* people would use every means to meet the terms. Herr Mueller said he believed the Allies would eventually modify the terms. In a statement he 3aid: "I believe the Allies will not insist on the delivery of the ex-Kaiser and the other high officers for trial." Herr Mueller is om> of the leaders of the Social Democrats, and Herr Bell, the other signatory, is a lawyer from Essen. He entered political life in 1912 and belongs to the Catholic party. TREATY CQMPI-ETE WHEN RATIFIED BY THREE POWERS. The blockade of Germany will continue until the treaty is ratified. The treaty will be considered complete when it has been ratified by three Powers. It is anticipated that the submission to the United States Senate will involve delay, whereas the treaty can be speedily ratified by Britain, France, and Italy. The French Minister of War at 3.47 p.m. sent orders for sustained salvoes throughout the country from Strasburg and Metz to Morocco. Cannon boomed out at 3.44 p.m. Crowds celebrated the news in the streets of Paris. The Paris correspondent of the United Press states that the Chinese delegates refused to sign the Peace Treaty because they were not allowed to make reservations concerning the disposition of the Shantung Peninsula. (A. and K.Z. Cable.)