The sun., 1919-06-12
Inquiry Virtually Comes to
an End When Bribery
Story Is Exploded.
RED CROSS GOT TEXT
Root, Who Compared 1t
With Summary, Says Lat
ter Was Accurate.
HE SHOWED 1T TO LODGE
Former Secretary of State
Testifies That Dawson Was
Not Pledged to Secrecy.
He SHOWED 1T TO LODGE
Special Despdfch to TIE SuS.

WASHINGTON, June 1.-THE Senate
Foreign Relations Committee failed
to develop the expected sensation in
its initial sitting to-day to investigate
the possession of treaty texts by peo-
pie in New York, and tonight the
inquiry seems to be practically at
standstill.
Henry L. Dawson, partner of J.
p. Morgan & Co. and head Of the
International League of Red Cross
Societies, told the committee he
brought copy back from Europe
which he procured there through
Thomas w. Lamont, also q member
Of the Morgan firm and now an ad-
wiser to the American Peace Mission.
Mr.. Dawson had no Idea of impro-
priety in his possession Of it. His
Red Cross work made It important
for him to know the treaty in detail.
He rather expected copies to be as
freely circulated In America rs they
| were in Europe. But when he got
home and found they were not he
kept his COPY to himself. He never
showed 1t to any Of his partners or
to anybody else to read except to Elihu
Root, formerly United States Senator
and once Secretary Of State.
| Root Showed Copy to Lodge.
Mr.. Dawson explained the inti-
mate relation between the League Of
Nations and the League Of Red Cross
Societies that Is undertaking to direct
the rehabilitation Of Europe. That
, relationship made It necessary for
him to know about the league and
the treaty conditions.
Mr.. Root was the witness who oc-
cupled most of the session. He cnme
as volunteer witness and was first
heard. He had examined the COPY of
the treaty Mr.. Dawson loaned him
and had shown 1t to Senator Lodge.
He found little in 1t that had not
already been given the public in
the summary semi-officially published
of 1t.
As to the possession of copies by
q few persons in this country Mr..
Root explained that as n matter of
technique in negotiations the German
Government had perfect right to
publish the treaty text when it did;
either party to 1t was entitled at that
stage to publish 1t II IL desired
Mr.. Root indicated pretty clearly In
answer to questions that he thought
1t would have been better II the Presi-
dent had maintained closer relations
with the Senate and from time to time
informed It Of the progress of negotla-
tions.
Apparently Against League.
Likewise he admitted that in study
Ing the treaty he had not paid much
attention to conditions affecting details
Iof European affairs. He did not be-
lieve In America being involved in
them. On this point his answers left
Republican Senators convinced that he
is decidedly arrayed on the side Of
critics OF the treaty and the treaty
making procedure and apparently of
the League OF Nations.
At the opening OF the session Senator
Lodge (MasS) as chairman read teie.
grams from Jacob H. Schiff asking 10
be excused from testlfying because Of
age and Ill health. The committee will
decide later whether TO call him. Mr..
Root was then permitted to take the
witness chair
1 hA ntahl tA,
the committee" said Mr.. Root. led me
TO feel It was proper for me TO give
the committee certain knowledge upon
that subject which have. have had
copy OF that so-called treaty for sew
sral weeks. 1t was sent TO me by
Henry T. Dawson. chairman OF the War
Council Of the American Red Cross and
chairman of the International Red Cross.
1t was sent 10 me a couple of weeks ago
II stand upon my right 20 have H.
deny that anybody can properly ques-
tion that right. assert the entire
propriety OF my having it and OF his
J giving II 10 me. He had It because
OF his legitimate intercsS - .Se Red
Cross. which Is invoved in the treaty.
As l understand II. he had II In Paris
while he was there In consultation upon
the affairs OF the Red Cross and the
relation OF those AFFAIRS to the inter-
national adjustment which was going on.
Was Not Brought secretly,
; "IIe brought !: away with him when
> | he came. there being at that time
4 no injunction against bringing II to tho
United States. l understand that there
has been such an injunction or prohibi-