30 nations attended the peace talks. Germany and other Central Powers not invited. Do understand while there are 30 countries present, they are not equal. You have countries that are considered "greater" powers and those that were "smaller" powers. We typically hear of or speak of what was known as the "Big Four" (US, GB, France & Italy). There is no better proof of this than the seating chart that exists that shows where each country's representative sat at the peace talks. We will link that seating chart in the description so you can take a look at it.
Link to the seating chart
2014.34_hir.jpg (1500x1942) (theworldwar-prod.s3.amazonaws.com)
The Poem Laura mentioned, In Flanders Fields is so beautiful. Again as she mentioned the nitrates from the gunpowder but also from the decaying bodies buried beneath the earth. The bodies of the soldiers who gave their lives for the countries.
"In Flanders Fields" By Canadian Dr. John McCray who wrote the poem after witnessing a 1915 battle in Belgium.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead: Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved: and now we lie
In Flanders fields!
Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw
The torch: be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields"
The total cost of life between soldiers and civilians is estimated to be at about 40 million people. This war was to be the war to end all wars but it instead set the stage for another world war.
