The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-06-12
INVESTIGATION Of
TREATY LEAK HAS
ROOT FIRST CALLED

Washington, June 11.-Elihu Root.
appearing today at his own
suggestion before the senate for.
eign relations committee inves-
tigating how copies OF the peace
treaty got into the hands of persons
in New York testified that for several
weeks he had a copy given to him by
Henry =. Dawson, of the Morgan
banking house.
Senator Lodge said the copy he had
seen was shown to him by Mr.. Root
When Mr.. Root was excused, Henry
p. DAWSON, was called.
Mr.. Dawson said he brought a copy
of the treaty to America but that it
never had been read by any man eX-
cept himself and Senator Root.
After Mr.. Dawson had been ques-
toned for a half hour he was excused
and j. =. Morgan took the stand.
Mr.. Morgan said he had not seen
copy of the treaty.
Frank a. Nanderlip, former presi-
dent of the National City Bank follow
ed Mr. Morgan on the stand, testifying
that he never had seen the peace
treaty.
Mr.. Root remarked that the German
government had made the treaty public
in detail, adding:
1T thereupon became public proper
ty. There are two parties to the nego-
tiations. Either party has the right
to make it public. No longer can any
diplomatic secrecy attach. The Ger
man government having the full right
TO make public this paper, made it
public and it is public. | should be
icclined to resent any suggestion from
anybody" Mr. Root said sharply, that
am not entitled to it and use it as
see fit, which | propose to do"
Chairman Lodge at the opening of
the hearing read telegram from
Jacob Schiff, saying he knew "abso-
lutely nothing directly or indirectly"
regarding the treaty and then called
MIR. Root to the witness chair, ex-
planning that he appeared voluntarily
and had requested to be heard.
II have copy of that so-called
treaty, have had it for several weeks"
said Mr.. Root. 1T was sent to me
by II. p. Dawson, chairman of the
Red Cross league. / stand
upon my right to have it. | assert that
entire propriety Of his giving it to me.
He had it because of his Legitimate
interests in the Red Cross, involved
In the treaty
Mr. Root said he understood Mr. |
Dawson had the copy in Paris in con
nection with Red Cross affairs and |
brought it away with him, there be- |
ng at that time no injunction against |
bringing copies to the United States"
1t was not secret document" con-
inued Mr.. Root, parts of it, notably |
he covenant of the league of nations.
lad been published"
Then | gather" Senator Knox in
erjected, that you do not consider
'ourself in possession of stolen goods,
obtained by bribery, as has been charg-
N on the senate floor?"
Il repel any suggestion" Mr.. Root
eplied, with some show of feeling. Il
eel sense of strong resentment to
epel such a suggestion from any
ource. Nothing could be more base.
ess than such a suggestion"
anking democratic of the committee
'ointed out that the inquiry was to
ook into inquiries of Senators Lodge
nd Borah. He said that remarks by
he two senator's in the senate, quoting
lr. Borah's statement that interests.
peculiarly interested" had copies. \
iscusson among committee members
nd several sharp exchanges followed
enator Lodge said Senator Hitchcock
lad charged in the senate that the
opy he, tAlr. LODGE had seen, was OBJ
aimed by bribery and corruption"
''As a matter of fact" said Senator
.odge, "the copy l saw was the one
hown me by Mr.. Root"
Mr.. Root thought the United States
ad 400 men on the payroll at Paris
nd of those probably 200 or 800 had ;
opies of the treaty. Numerous finan.
ial experts. he added, had to be con-
ulted.