On January 18th 1919, the Peace Conference opened in Paris. It was to be a council of ten - two representatives from each of the Great Powers: Great Britain, France, Italy, Japan and the United States. In the event, three men dominated the discussions, President Woodrow Wilson of the United States, David Lloyd George, Prime Minister of Britain and Georges Clemenceau, Premier of France. President Wilson had produced 14 points as a basis for settlement which included reduction of armaments,
adjustments of colonial claims, independence for Poland, the people of Austria-Hungary to have opportunities for national developnent (witness the creation of Czechoslovakia and the setting up of an Association of Nations. Finally, five separate peace treaties were offered to the Central Powers. Germany signed the Treaty on June 28th 1919 in the Hall of Mirrors, Versailles (the very place where Bismark’s Empire of Blood and Iron had begun). The main terms were that the size of the country was reduced by one-eighth, she lost all her colonies. was barred from having a navy and the size of her army was limited. In addition Germany was forced to make huge financial reparations for the losses they had caused.
Coincidentally the ILN s ‘Peace Number’
(Appendix list no. 78 ) was published on June 28th, but had been prepared during the period when Germany was deciding whether to accept the Peace terms presented.
This special number, sub-titled ‘A Pictorial Record of the Greatest event in the World’s History’, illustrates ‘The Big Four’ (Lloyd George; Clemenceau, Woodrow Wilson and Vittorio Orlando of Italy), the Allies and Germans in conclave at Versailles, military preparations on the Rhine in case Germany refused to sign, and the fate of the defeated Royalties then in exile. In addition, a substantial section is devoted to the scuttling of the interned German Fleet at Scapa Flow in June at the instiga of Admiral von Reuter (who claimed he thought the armistice had ended).
The cover of this issue, in red, white and blue, is exactly the same in format as the recent wedding special. The differences in detail are that a photograph of King George V fills the central frame, whilst the portraits of the Rt. Hon. A.J. Balfour, M.P. (Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs) and the Rt. Hon. David Lloyd George, (Prime Minister) fill the smaller frames. It is probable that the design was specially drawn for this issue since the wreath round the central portrait is a victor’s wreath and the garlands decorating the triumphal arch (another symbol of victory) are composed of national floral emblems rather than flowers associated with marriage. This issue is number 4184, vol. 154 (pages 925-976) measures 30 x 42 cm and cost two shillings.
