The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-09

ference with newspaper men. Neither did he know who handled the note at the government printing office.
 When was the first intimation you had that there had been a disclosure of the contents of the note?' asked Repre- sentative Campbell. republican.
 T had none until it was stated in the newspapers Lansing replied
 / CANNOT LOCATE LEAK"
 Secretary Lansing said he had made inquiries around the state department Tor leak but had failed to locate one
 Have you any information as to leak on the note about n o'clock on Wednes- dayg' asked Campbell
 Not to my knowledge" said Mir.
 1t has been suggested here that rep resentatives of two newspapers may have sent out information at that time"
 T have seen references to it in the newspapers"
 Has anything been done at the state department with respect to that to show whether there is any foundation for that?"
 None at all. think it would be easy to find out"
 OUTSIDERS PRESENT
 MT. Lansing said that at the confer erence with the newspaper men there were three other gentlemen present, wait ing to see him, but that he did not know they were there until afterward.
 Who were these men?" asked Rep resentative Lenroot
 "A. E. Snowden of New York, R. Gay Tor, civil engineer of the navy, and Dr. M. T. Mclean of the navy" said Mr.. Lansing. The two naval officers were about to proceed to Hayti for the government"
 'It is not likely that they would say anything about your statement?" asked Representative Bonnet Very improbable"
 Representative Bonnet, addressing MT. Lansing, said the latter had stated that he had never speculated, and asked:
 For that reason, isn't it possible that you gave little thought to the effect some the stock market?'
 T never gave it thought" said the secretary.
 Tt never entered my mind. I was merely anxious to preserve the courtesy due to foreign nations in the matter"
 DIDN'T KNOW SNOWDEN
 Did you know MT. Snowden?' asked Bonnet
 Not at that time"
 Was he rather large man con nected with the National Manufacturers association?'
 T think so."
 With snowden practically a stranger to you, did it occur to you that he might make use of the information ?'' asked Bonnet T didn't know he was there.'
 Where was the conference with Am bassador Willard?"
 At my house on Tuesday evening""
 Secretary Lansing later explained that Ambassador Willard sent message to Spain on Wednesday afternoon.
 Questioned further about his confer ence with the newspaper men, Secretary Lansing said:
 GAVE NO DETAILS
 My statements regarding the note were entirely negative. I said nothing whatever about a request for terms hav- ing been made. I gave no details I stated that at o'clock they would be able to get an important communication sent to beligerent governments. l said that it was not a proposal of peace or an offer of mediation. Then I explained the reason I wished them to preserve confidence. I knew that the note was in the hands of the printer and wanted to guard against any mere rumors that might get out"
 In response to questions by Representa- tive Chiperfield, MT. Lansing said 43 messages later were sent to American diplomatic representatives abroad.
 Representative Chiperfield questioned MT. Lansing regarding the two state ments he made to the press explaining the note on Thursday after the note had been made public. He said the first was made at g o'clock in the morning and the second in the afternoon.
 Were these statements made entire ly on your own initiative?" asked Chip erfield.
 See here,' Secretary Lansing protest ed, that is way beyond the scope of this Investigation
 Chairman Henry told Secretary Lan-