Evening star., 1919-08-15
PRESIDENTS OFFER
IS NEW DEPARTURE
Mr.. Lawrence Regards His
Willingness to Be Questioned
/. Publicly "Significant."
DISCUSSES THE SITUATION
by DAVID LAWRENCE.


Carrying out his idea that under the
American form of government a
President is both a chief executive
and q prime minister. Woodrow Will
son has announced a new departure
in representative government in this
country by agreeing to submit to
public Interrogation by members of
the legislative branch of the govern
ment.
The nature Of the precedent estab-
lished by the Presidents invitation
to the entire membership OF the Sem
at foreign relations committee, repub-
realised until Mr.. Wilson went step
further and not only declared that
everything said at the conference
could be given to the public. but I'M
proved upon the usual method OF get
ting exact information about confer
encss between Presidents and mem-
oerS OF Congress.
He stated that he would be glad to
have stenographers present. White
House officials added that everything
said would be given Immediately in
full text to the public through the
press. And a transcript of the pro-
ceedines will be published.
Thus America at last will have OBJ
tained some of the advantages hither-
10 claimed for the parliamentary gov
ernments Of Europe. whore premiers
and prime ministers have been called
before legislatures to answr Ques-
tions about domestic and foreign pol.
OF course, from the mere fact Of
President Wilson's readiness to sub
NIT to the interrogation OF an I'M.
portant committee Of the Senate no
would bind future Presidents. But
the strength Of custom In government
II sometimes not less than written
law.
Calls Decision "signiAeant."
The decision Of the Senate foreign
relations committee to accept Mr..
wilson's invitation for . conferences
which he made through Senator
rather signine mt Of the trend Of de-
velopmsnts h, - on the peace treaty
and league of nations. The commit
The has been grilling witness after
witness. from Secretary Lansing to
subordinate members Of the American
has been apparent that from Prsst-
dent Wilson alone could be obtained an
intimate knowledge Of what happened
inside the councils Of the big live and
the biE ten. There were members
mittes who did not care to 20 to the
white House or to have the Presi-
deut come to the Capitol They
thought 1t would put them In the am
Harrassing situation Of having Ac-
the President which they could not
discuss In public debate. The Presi-
dent's desire to have the msetings
public in character left NO loophole
fpr escape and the committee voted
unanimously to 90 to the White
House or wherever MI. Wilson might
select.
Sees Little Excuse for Delay.
Unquestienably. there win be
basis Of what Mr.. Wilson says. But
At the same time there win be little
excuse for delay In reporting the
treaty. And many republicans cut
side Of Congress have been urging
favorably or unfavorably. but to put
an end to what may seem to out
siders ~ dawdling. This advice has
unquestionably accelerated the re.
publican leaders Of the Senate. and
their consideration Of the treaty. A
report to the Senate by the commit
tee IL expected within . fortnight.
II il II unfavofaole there will be
more reason for Mr. Wilson to begin
the other hand. II the report em-
bodies the Interpretations made by
the so-called mild reservatioaists''
in the Senate, 1t would not be sur
prising to see Mr.. Wilson let IL be
known that the program is acceptA-
BILE.
The Interpretations suEgested by
the saven senator's aforementioned a.
mild rsservationists' would not have
the effect Of throwing the pace
ference. but would clarity ambiguous
clauses. On the other hand. men like
Senators Borah and johnson are not
unlikely to carry thsir opposition
through to the sud.
Ratification Nay Come Soou.
But IL Mr.. Wilson accepts the in
~so 'f sssv. Il: :'ysn n
clear that the powers ef Congress to
declare war arc not abridged and that
the United States retains Jurisdiction
over tariff. immigration and other do
terpretation Of the Monroe doctrine
shall be left to the United States, an
early ratification Of the peace treaty
10 to be expected.
In that event, Mr.. Wilson's trip
would be in the nature Of an explains
tion to the American people Of the
responsibilities undertaken by Amer
lea In world affairs. and the necessity
for cooperation to reconstruct the
world and reduce the cost Of living.
1t 50 happens that the Prince OF
wales, Cardinal Mercier and probably
Gen. Pershing will be coming to the
United States during the month OF
September. and Mr.. Wilson will have
to be in Washington to receive them.
So the prospects of q trip by Mr.. Will
eon depend largely on the develop
ments in next Tuesdays conferences