New-York tribune., 1919-07-21

to tell the President at the outset of
the conference that he would not ac-
cept anything in confidence.
Mr.. Norris, after receiving the White
House invitation, as told in The
Tribune this morning, was at first non
committal as to whether he would ac-
cept. He made inquiries as to whether
the President, in his talks on Shan
tung with other Republican Senator'S
after Mr.. Norris made the attack on
the Shantung settlement in the Senate,
had convinced any Of them that the
Shantusiy section of the treaty was
justified. So far as he could learn
none of the Senators with whom the
President had talked had been con-
vinced. Mr.. Norris then was told that
the President had bound them in con-
fidence not to tell the reasons which
he had told them made the Shantung
settlement imperative
Opposes Secret Diplomacy
Senator Norris is the first of the
Republican Senators who has been in
vitcd to the White House by President
Wilson within the last few days
to decline the invitation. 1t is
thought that his position is somewhat
similar 10 that Of Senator Borah, who
refused to go to the White House on
the Presidents return from his first
trip to Paris. Both Mr. Borah and Mr..
Norris are enthusiastic supporters of
the doctrine of open covenants of
peace, openly arrived at
THE time for secrecy in diplomacy
has passed. Mr., Norris said in dis
cussing this question few days ago.
"It is no longer necessary to keep
diplomatic motives from the peoples
of the various countries"
Much Importance was attached last
night by Senators on both sides to the
request by the President for Senator
Norris to come to the White House.
It was Mr.. Norris's speech whi ch
stirred up the storm about Shantung.
which has been plainly worrying tho
President.
The President after hearing seven
Republican Senators-every one he
consulted express opposition to the
Shantung settlement, conferred with
Administration leader Hitchcock, and
it is understood that Mr. Hitchcock
urged the President to send for SEN
ator Norris and try to convince him
that the treaty clause regarding Shan
tung could not be changed. The Presi-
dent is said to have been told that II
he could induce Mr.. Norris to with
draw his opposition to Shantung no
public statement would be necessary,
as the opposition TO that section would
crumble.
Will Reject Proposal
Senator'S fighting for reservations let
it be known to-day that they will re-
ject an Administration proposal which,
it is understood, will be offered in
few days, and which will provide for
defining Americas position with re-
gard to the sections in dispute in the
legislation governing the appointment
of the representatives Of the United
States on the league of nations coun-
Gil Of nine.
Since the announcement of Senator
Hitchcock, the Administration leader,
on the floor of the Senate a few days
ago. that the duties of Americas re,,-
resentatives in the league could be
clo VI, RI l.
Congress, and that the approval of
the Senate could be made essential to
an appointment, Che Administration
has developed another purpose to be
served by this same bill
This is that the proposed reserva-
tions desired By Republican Senators.
on immigration, the Monroe Doctrine,
Withdrawal from the league, and on
Article X-although even on this the
Administration will fight desperately
should be explained in great detail in
this bill providing for the appointment
of the United States representatives.
Is Not Compromise
This could scarcely be called a COM
promise, Republican Senators point
out because as matter of fact it is
even milder than the much discussed
interpretations, which the President
has hintcd he will accept.
The Republicans point out that no
statement which could possibly be
made of the understanding of Con-
gress on any section or article of the
league of nation covenant could pos
sibly be binding or could possibly have
any except a detrimental effect in this
country. They say it is possible at
some future time the American people
could be reused to Indignation against