ENEMY AT THE BAR

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 110, 12 May 1919, Page 8

ENEMY AT THE BAR

THE SCENE IN VERSAILLES PRESENTATION OF THE TREATY SPEECHES OF THE RIVAL LEADERS. (DNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPXEIBHT.I (AUSIKAIUN-NSIT ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received May 12, 2.30 p.m.) PARIS, Bth May. With bitter memories of half a century ago, Versailles to-day witnessed the most memorable scene in its history, when the ancient enemy stood at the Bar of the nations of the world to receive the terms imposed on the shattered Germanic Empire. The weather was fine, and the street leading to the Trianon Hotel was crowded with, spectators, anxious to see the delegations of the Allies. ■ As the latter arrived and left the. Conference, they received orations along the route. The scene had a simple setting within the great dining saloon of the hotel, with its green, baize-covered tables in tho form of a rectangle. . At the head sat M. Clemenceau, with the American delegates on tho right and the British on the left, and the rest grouped at the sides. The cross-table at the foot of the room, was reserved for the Germans. Signor Orlando and Baron Sonnino were' cordially greeted as they entered. • There was a moment of thrilling silence when an officer announced : "Messieurs les Plenipotentiaires Ailemands." (The German Plenipotentiaries.") All the delegates stood as Count Brockdorff Rantzau and his fellow-delegates entered; accompanied by three officers. With the exception of Herr Lansberg, a man of strong Prussian type, the enemy delegates were pale, and Count Rantzau looked particularly haggard. The moment they were seated, M. Clemenceau rose, and, addressing the Germans, said : "This is neither the time nor the place for superfluous words. You have before you the Plenipotentiaries of all the small and great Powers united to fight together in a war cruelly forced upon them. You have asked for peace, and we are ready to give you the peace we present to you for your consideration, and will do everything that civilised nations can do to aid your consideration. Wo must see that this second Treaty of Versailles, which has cost us bo much, must secure lasting guarantees." He then outlinedl the procedure and stated that Gorman observations on the Terms must be submitted in writing, to which the Supreme. Council would reply. He added, that observations need not be kept until the period of fifteen days had elapsed,- but could be sent to the Council as they arose, and the Council would ' give- an immediate answer. He then asked if the delegates had anything further to say. Count Rantzau in a clear voice, said : i "We ara here to join in a sublime task— to give the world a durable peace. The Germans are under no misconception as to their defeat, or their want of power. They had no power, -and the German arms had broken when they realised the power of hatred they now encountered; and the vanquishers' demand for the punishment of the guilty. But to confess; that we are' entirely' responsible for the war would be a lie." He admitted tho former attitude nf the German Government in tho tragic twelve days of July.' In the .last, fifty years, he eaid, Imperialism had been poisonous, and the policy of retaliation and expansion bad contributed to the illness of Europe which had showed its expression in the world war.