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PARIS, Aug. 27, 1928 (UP) -- Representatives of world powers agreed to renounce war today. At a simple ceremony, solemn and business-like, foreign ministers and delegates of 15 countries affixed their names to a document which pledges them against wars of aggression and denounces war as a national policy.
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Germany, the common enemy of most of the other signatory nations in the World War, signed the historic document first. As Gustav Stresemann, German Foreign Minister, arouse from his place at the horseshoe table and advanced to sign the document, cameras clicked under powerful flood lights, and the combination of photographs and phonography recorded the ceremony for the eyes and ears of the whole world.
The signing took place in the great Clock Room of the French Foreign Office, the Quai D'Orsay, where the Versailles Treaty ending the World War was negotiated. Stresemann signed the treaty at 3:45 p.m. while the assembly applauded.
Kellogg signed for the United States at 3:47 p.m. and also applauded. He was nervous, but happy as he affixed his signature.
The keynote was dignity and lack of the lavish display which usually is associated with such a gathering of high international diplomats.
Paris was gay with flags and the colors of the signing nations floated over the Quai D'Orsay.
A great crowd gathered outside and Prefect of Police Chiappe ordered street traffic stopped. Fifty Republican guards were held in reserve to supplement the efforts of 550 footguards and gendarmes in keeping the crowds back.
The first official arrival was Paul Claudel, French ambassador to Washington, with Mme. Claudel, who came in a taxicab.
Frank B. Kellogg, Secretary of State of the United States, who, with Aristide Briand, French Foreign Minister, conceived the treaty, came half an hour early. He was accompanied by Mrs. Kellogg and Myron T. Herrick, United States ambassador to France. The crowd broke into prolonged cheering and Kellogg was obliged to stand hatless, smiling and bowing for four minutes while he acknowledged the acclaim.
The doors of the Quai D'Orsay's crimson and gold salons were thrown open at 2 p.m. by a company of ushers in late 18th century costumes.
They represented almost the only touch of resplendent costuming at the ceremony. They wore blue cutaway coats with silver braid an epaulettes, silver buttons, red satin breeches ribboned at the knees, white silk stockings and black patent leather slippers.
Briand took his place at the head of the horseshoe table at 3:03 p.m., and called for order. Facing the assembled plenipotentiaries and other signers he began his address of welcome amid a silence broken only by the whirr of movie cameras.
Around the signers was grouped a distinguished company. Gilt chairs had been placed in rows opposite the horseshoe table, with a double row behind Briand, under the great clock and around the sidewalls reserved for embassy attaches and personal attaches of the signers. They accommodated about 150. Another 100 persons, chiefly notables of France and other signing nations, stood around the walls.
The scene was bathed in powerful light. Four great projectors threw a dazzling glow through the windows of the clock room and four others were directly on the signatories, enveloping them in a pinkish white glow. Occasionally it would flutter into a disagreeable yellowish tinge.
A battery of cameras and motion picture machine operated between the doors of the room. Behind them rose, in tiers, 100 newspapermen, representing the press of 40 countries.
The delegates were greeted on arrivals by Premier Raymond Poincare, who, in gay humor, moved around rapidly shaking the hands of the delegates. He greeted the delegating of British signers and conferred with them for some time. They were headed by Lord Cushendon, for Great Britain, Northern Ireland and India; Premier W. L. MacKensie King of Canada; Sir C.J. Parr, New Zealand; and Senator A. J. McLanchiin, Australia.
Kellogg and Stresemann warmly congratulated Briand for his speech, which was received without applause. It was delivered in French and then translated into English.
Poincare and William T. Cosgrave, president of the Irish Free State Executive Council, occupied front row seats. Patrick MacGilligan, Foreign secretary of the Irish Free State, was delegated to the task of signing the treaty for that country.
Briand's speech was broadcast from the Eiffel Tower to all France, and re-broadcast from the station at D'Ventry for the benefit of listeners in the United States. Meanwhile, the Movietone men were making a permanent sound-and-sight record of the event for posterity.
The crowd outside was unusually orderly in harmony with the spirit of the occasion.
The ceremony was conclude at 3:55 p.m. The delegates arouse, bowed and smiled to Premier Poincare and passed into the gardens for tea.
Briand's address of welcome contained glowing praise for Kellogg and a warm and diplomatic welcome to Germany.
Briand said:
"I am fully conscious that silence best befits such a solemn occasion. I would prefer that each simply arise an affix his signature to the greatest collective deed born of peace, but I would fail France if I did not express the nation's pride in receiving the signers and extending to them a cordial welcome.
"Undoubtedly you all join me in grateful impulse towards one of our colleagues who did not hesitate to come himself and assert here the full moral authority attached to his name and the country he represents.
"Sitting in the very hall where the illustrious Wilson had brought a high conscience to the work of peace, Secretary Kellogg can look with just pride on the progress made since we both began to examine means of carrying out this diplomatic undertaking.
"Nobody is better qualified than Secretary Kellogg for his prominent part in this treaty, even to his credit in the memory of men. The optimistic tenaciousness with which he has conquered skeptics, his fairness, good faith and readiness to satisfy questions with clear explanations, have gained him the confidence of his partners. Lastly, it was his clear vision that showed him what can be expected of governments.
"What more exalted lesson could be offered the civilized world than the sight of an assembly wherein Germany, of her own free will, steps in on the same level and takes her seat among signers who were here former adversaries?
"An example still more striking is in the opportunity for France to receive a German foreign minister, with the same warm welcome as her colleague for the first time in half a century.
"I am particularly glad to pay homage to the mind and courage of Herr Stresemann, who for three years did not hesitate to assume full responsibility for co-operating to maintain peace."
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(The 15 nations signing the treaty: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, the Irish Free State, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Poland, South Africa and the United States.)
