100 Years Ago June 1919 – Peace Treaty Signed!
Selected from the pages of the Penny Press and lightly annotated by Sally Haase
Wall Street Sees Treaty Before Senate. Washington, June 4: The alleged discovery that copies of the peace treaty had reached powerful interests in New York City, while the senate was still denied an opportunity to peruse it, coupled with the statement of Acting Secretary of State Polk that probably certain of the cablegrams incorporated in the peace treaty had reached certain New York financial men through their Paris representatives. This has served to solidify the opposition in the senate to the proposed league of nations, it was stated by both republican and democratic senators, who are avowed anti-leaguers.
Startling Styles In Paris. Washington, June 4: Startling new fashions in women apparel have made their appearance at the Longchamps race course where the Parisian smart set annually set the styles. In addition to bare legs, the women are wearing extremely tight gowns cut very short at the bottom and very low at the top. The arms are exposed unless covered by a cape. Nothing is worn underneath the newest gowns but girdles and lingerie.
Leaked Copy To Big Business. Washington, June 5: Republican senators who charged that copies of the peace treaty had fallen into the hands of “big business” in New York “unfairly and unjustly insinuated” that the president possessed knowledge that the document had reached certain American financial interests, Senator Hitchcock, acting senate minority leader, declared.
Going Dry. Washington, June 6: Unless congress intervenes, war-time prohibition will go into effect on July 1st. The International News Service was authorized to state officially that President Wilson will take no further steps to prevent the United States from going dry on that date.
Senate Votes To Publish Text. Washington, June 9: “Beyond question, the peace treaty is a matter of public record abroad,” Senator Borah said. “It is being freely distributed [abroad] and there is no reason why it should not be presented here.” Democrats raise protests, while five bankers are subpoenaed. President Wilson cables a demand for a full investigation. The president’s belief is that it would be unwise to submit a document still under negotiations.
Keep League Out Of Treaty. Washington, June 10: A resolution which would in effect keep the United States out of the League of Nations except by diplomatic negotiations was presented in the senate today. The resolution would notify the peace conference that the United States reserves the right to take action on the League of Nations and would effectually separate the league from the signing of the peace treaty.
Turks To Make Concessions. Paris, June 11: Turkish peace delegates on route to France will concede the allies’ right to occupy Armenia, Arabia and Trace. The Ottoman envoys are reported to be preparing to shift responsibility for Turkey’s entrance into the war upon the Young Turks. [The Young Turks were a political revolutionary party who ushered the Ottoman Empire into WWI and who were accountable for the Armenian genocide.]
Three Fourths of Males Killed in Asia Minor. Boston, June 11: Dr. George Washburn of Boston returned home after serving with the American relief commission in the near east, declared that three fourths of the male population of Asia Minor has been killed since Turkey entered the war. “The Turks are still holding 300,000 Armenians in the mountains after driving them from their homes,” he said. The Turks explain that it would involve too great an expense to return the [confiscated] property to the Armenians and intend to hold it for good.”
Chinese Boycott Treaty. Tokyo, June 13: A Japanese cruiser and a gunboat have been rushed to Wu-Hu and Shanghai to protect Japanese interests against a boycott inaugurated by the Chinese, who are demanding an annulment of the peace treaty decision granting the Japanese territorial rights on the Shantung peninsula.
Allied Armies Ready If Foe Refuses To Sign. London, June 20: While Germans at Weimar wrestle with the Allied peace terms, the Allies themselves were perfecting final plans for swift action should Germany prove recalcitrant. Advices reaching London indicated that everything is prepared, territory to be invaded mapped out and measures completed to combat any local resistance which the populace might offer to the allied advance.
Germany’s Final Maneuvers Before Signing. Paris, June 23:
- Asked Allies to include Germany’s denial of war Responsibility in the treaty. Request refused.
- Asked Allies to nullify provision for handing over authors of the war for trail. Request refused.
- Protested against stripping Germany of her colonies. Protest ignored.
- Notified Allies that Germany cannot possibly fulfill the treaty’s conditions. Notification ignored.
- Asked Allies to grant 48 hours more time. Notified Germany that the armistice ends tonight.
Germans Planning Revenge. Berlin, June 25: Disorders have broken out in Berlin following acceptance of the peace treaty. Mobs are looting shops. The telephone and Postal workers have quit work. Reports are that strike disturbances are country-wide. Feelings of revenge and hatred of the Allies are springing up alongside the chaos here.
The conservatives are stirring up trouble by issuing manifestoes, condemning the signing of the treaty that gives away German territory, reduces the size of her army and surrenders her fleet and colonies. They openly proclaim that a day of reckoning is coming.
The Treaty Of Versailles Signed. Versailles, June 28: The Great War officially came to an end this afternoon with a treaty which officially brought peace again to the world. Premier Clemenceau invited the German delegates to come forward and sign. President Wilson was next to sign and was followed by Premier Lloyd-George of Great Britain, and then followed by Premier Clemenceau of France. Only two incidents marred the proceedings, General Smuts, of the South African delegation, protested against punishing the Kaiser. And, the Chinese delegation was not present, but sent word that it would not sign the treaty.
Immediately after the signing was complete the German delegates left the building and returned at once to Berlin.
100 years ago, much has changed and, then again, nothing has changed.
