New-York tribune., 1919-06-12
Root Says Darison Gaze Him
Treaty; Denies Any Inaproprief>,

the committee to inquire into the pos
session Of copies of the draft treaty
with Germany" said Senator Root, "led
me to feel that it was proper, If not
duty, for me to come here and give the
committee certain knowledge upon that
subject which have.
II have copy Of the so-called treaty,
and have had it for several weeks. 1t
was sent to me by Henry P. Dawson,
chairman Of the War Council of the
American Red Cross and for several
years past and now the chairman of the
international Red Cross League, al
though I believe that is not the exact
title. 1t was sent to me couple of
weeks ago. ! stand upon my right to
have 1t. deny that anybody can prop
erly question that right. I assert the
entire propriety Of my having it and of
his giving it to me. He had it because
Of his legitimate interest in the Red
Cross. which Is involved in the treaty.
"As understand it, Mr.. Dawson had
the copy Of the treaty in Paris while
he was there in consultation upon the
affairs Of the Red Cross and the rela-
ton Of those affairs to the interna-
tional adjustment which was going on.
He brought 1t away with him when he
came, there being at that time no in
Junction against the persons having
possession Of the document bringing It
to the United States. I understand that
such an injunction or prohibition has
been issued since Mr.. Dawson left
Paris, but know that only through the
press.
Document Only Quasi-Sscret
"As I understand 1t, however, there
was none at the time he came away
from Paris, bringing with him the
document which he rightfully had. 1t
was not secret document in the strict
sense of the word. 1t had been In sub
stance published by cur own govern
ment. The league of nations part had
been, published In full. have copy
Of that as II was distributed to the
labor organizations In this country
bearing date April 80 last.
1.-THE German peace terms, which
made UP the rest Of the treaty, had
been made public through summary
or resume which l understand and be-
lieve to have been correct presenta-
tion Of the contents, but that il net all.
The paper was presented to the Ger
man delegates early In May, and they
almost imm ediately made It public in
full, In detail, and IL thereuvea became
public property.
"There are always two or more parties
to diplomatic negotiation, and either
party has the right to make the docu-
ment public. If either party does make
= yNh ia In 4 l..
II IS public, and ne longer can any
diplomatic secrecy attach to it. The
German government having full right
to make this paper public, made it
public and 1t Is public. ! should be a
little inclined to resent the suggestion
of anybody that am not entitled to
have IL and to use IL as see At. as
I propose to de.
Davison Entitled To Treaty
~ think that about covers what
want to say except to add that I have
long besn Interested and familiar with
the affaits Of the Red Cross, long held
an official position In connection with
1t, have been leng familiar with the
workings of the international eonven-
tlens by which the Red CYess was
created, and / feel competent to say TO
the committee that the relations of the
Red Cross to the revision Of the In
ternatlenal relations among the civil
ized nations through this treaty max
Ing were such that Mr.: Davisons pes
session Of that paper was ne matter
of Idle curiosity, but was matter of
offleial duty on the. part Of the man,
whe, abandoning MS great business
and giving his great powers with alb
selute, devotion to the organization
and the execution Of the great Red
Crosse activities of America during the
war, has conferred an inestlmable ben
eft both upen all Of, the Allies with
whom we fought and upon the good
name and credit Of the American
people"
II gather,". asked Senator Knox. "that
you desire then to be understood that
you are not In possession Of stolen
property, probably obtained by bribery,
as has been charged upon the floor of
the Senate against those who had pos
session Of the treaty."
~ repel any such suggestion," de-
elared Senator Root. "but feel sense
Of strong resentment at being required
ID repel such suggestions Nothing
could be more baseless than such sug-
gestion. OF course 1t Is possible that
papers, any paper, may come into hands
not entitled to it, but do not feed that
am here to plead to charge of that
kind, and ! know that you, Senator
Knox, do not mean to imply that l am"
Senate Suggestion Resented
x mean simply to suggsst," replied
Senator Knox, that charge was made
en- the floor of the Senate, and under
stand you indignantly to repei IT,"
Il do said Mr.. BOOT, "and | to
indscate tho possession of such knowf-
edge of the circumstances. such fam
iliarity with the sub icct, with the facts