New-York tribune., 1919-08-07

upon whether the United States con
sidered itself aggrieved.
Would not the cause Of the com
plant disturb the peace of the world ??
said Mr. McCumber.
wv ould not also the United States
be prevented under the terms of the
league of nations from using any
reprisals ?" broke in Senator Fall.
Mr.. Lansing was not sure what the
provisions we're in this respect.
Read to Him by Wilson
The Secretary said the American
draft of the league covenant had been
read to him once by the President. 1t
may have been presented to the COM
mission for drafting the league cove
nant, of which the President and
Colonel House were the American
members, but it was not presented to
the conference, Mr.. Lansing said RE
told Senator Brandcgcc he had not
heard that the American draft was
drawn by two New York lawyers and
had been destroyed because it was so
absurd. He said he thought this was
not true. Hc was sure that the present
draft was decided Improvement
The only person who might have a
copy. he said, was the President.
Then it is unobtainablc 2" he was
asked
II can't say" he replied
Senator Brandegce inquired about a
cable from Paris telling that Pres-
dent Wilson had cablcd to Premier
Clcmenccau asking him not to lay the
minutes of the league of nations COM
mission before the French Chamber
of Deputies.
"My impression was said Mr.. Lam
sing, that the freedom Of debate in
the commission was such that it would
be unwise to make the minutes public,
and that it might cause irritation
among other nations. The Pres dent
agreed with this view and he also
cablcd M. Clcmenccau"
What was the character of the dis
cossions which made it inadvisable to
disclose them - asked Senator Harding.
81 was not a member OF the commits
sion" said Mr.. Lansing, "and | never
read the minutes. My comment was
general"
Mr.. Lansing later said he would be
Just as strongly opposed to giving this
record to the Senate or even to the
committee in executive session. Sena-
tor Moses said it had been the. policy
of this government not to have any Sc
crets between its diplomatic officers and
the State Department.. Mr.. Lansing.
however, refused to admit the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee to the
category of diplomatic officers despite
its treaty making functions.
Mr.. Lansing said in reply to 1ues-
tons by Senator New that the phrase
'"regional understandings might we'll
be explained to avoid misundcrstand-
lngs IN the future" by setting forth in
the treaty exactly what was referred
to. Mr. Lansing had mentioned Moroc-
co, Egypt and certain portions Of East
Africa as affected by the regional un-
derstandlngs meant in addition 10 the
Monroe Doctrine
Explaining that he had not taken
any action himself at Paris, except on
the commission to determine RESPONSE
biIty for the war. Mr.. Lansing said
"The American delegation only acted
as body, or in the person Of the
President,' and again "the President
gave instructions to all the delegates. y
did the United States seek to in
iuencc China TO enter the war on the
SIDE OF the Allies - he was asked.
Promises to "Iook 1t up"
Mr.. Lansing was not sure. but then
join in the war
"Did not the American Minister at
Pckng make China a promise that her
territory would be restored?" he was
asked.
Mr.. Lansing did not recall this, but
promised to look it up.
WAS no effort made to have Japan
guarantee to return Shantung?'
THE President made such an effort,
and do not mean to convey that this
effort was a failure
"Do you wish to say that it was not
failure ?" asked Senator Harding, in
apparent surprise.
81 did not say that" said Mr. Lans-
ing, "but do not want to give the
impression that it was failure