The sun., 1919-08-20


knowledge and my own knowledge came
after reached Paris.
Senator Borah-When did the secret |
treaty between Great Britain, France 1
and the other nations of Europe with
reference to certain adjustments in |
Europe first come to your knowledge?
was that after you had reached Paris !
Also
The Presdent-Yes, the whole series
Of understandings we're disclosed to me |
for the first time then.
Senator Borah--1hen we had no |
knowledge of these secret treaties SO far
as our Government was concerned until |
YOU reached Paris?
The President-Not unless there was
information at the State Department of !
which know nothing.
Senator Borsh-Do you know when |
these secret treaties between japan.
Great Britain and other countries were !
first made known to China?
Tells of First Suggestion.
The Presdent-No, sir; l do not. I /
remember meeting of what was popu- /
larly called the Council of Ten, after our ,
reaching Paris, In which ii was drst sug-
sested that all these understandings |,
should be laid upon the table of the con- |
ference. That was some time after we !
reached there, and 1 do not know |
whether that was China's first knowl- |
edge OF these matters or not
Senator Borah--Would it be proper |
Tor me to ask II Great Britain ant. !
France insisted upon maintaining these !,
secret treaties at the Peace Conference !
as they were made?
The President-I think it is proper for
ne 10 answer that question. sir. 1 will |
nuft in this " Fol
could not receds from them, that is to |
say that they we're bound by them, but !,
when they involved general interests |
4uch as they realized were involved |
they were quite willing, and indeed 4
think DESTROYS, that they should be re-
considered with the consent of the other
parties. l mean with the consent so far !
as they were concerned of the other !
parties.
Senator swanson-Can you teil us. or
would 1t be proper to do SO, OF your |
understanding with Japan as to the re- |
turn OF Shantung-a question which has |
been very much discussed?
The President--I have published the
wording of the understanding, Senator. !
| cannot be confident that l quote II |
literally, but l know that / quote IL in /
substance. 1t was that Japan should |
return TO China in full sovereignty the /
old province of Shantung so far as
Germany had had any claims upon II |
preserving to herself the right to es |
tabllsh residential district at Using !
tao which is the town of Kiachow Bay |
that with regard to the railways and |
mines she should retain only the rights |
OF an economic concession there, with
the right, however. to maintain a spe-
cial body of police on the railway, the !
personnel of which should be Chinese |
In inst
by the managers of the company and
appointed by the Chinese Government. /!
think that is the whole of it, |
Senator Borah-Was that understand |
ing oral?
The President-Senator Borah asked
whether this understanding was oral
or otherwise. I do not like to describe
the operation exactly IL it Is not perfectly
discreet. but a matter of fact this was
technically oral. but literally written and
formulated, and the formulation agreed
upon.
Senator Johnson (CaL when, Mr..
President. is the return to be made?
The President-That was left unde-
cided. Senator. but we were assured at
the time that 1t would be as soon as
possible.
Senator Johnson-Did not the Japa-
nese decline to Ak any date?
Could OF FIX a Date.
The President-They did at that time,
yes; but l think 1t is fair to them to
say not in the spirit of those who
wished it to be within their choice, but
simply that they could not at that time
say when 1t would be.
Senator Johnson-The economic priv
iieges that they would retain would give
them a fair mastery over the province.
would they not, or at least the Chinese
think so? Let me put 1t in that fashion,
please.
The PRESIDENT believe they do,
Senator. do not feel qualified to judge.
l should say that that was an exag-
Eerated view.
Senator Johnson-But the Chinese feel
mat way about it. and have so expressed
themselves?
The President-They have SO ex-
pressed themselves.
Senator Knox-Mr. President, the eco
nomic privileges that they originally &C
quired in Corea, and subsequently in
inner and outer Mongolia, and in north
ern and southern Manchuria, have al
~most developed into complete sover-
eighty over those countries: have they
not7
The President-Yes, Senator. In the
absence Of a League of Nations they
have.
Senator KnoX-You think the League
Of Nations would have prevented that,
do you?
The PRESIDENT am confident it'would.
Senator New-Mr. President, does not
this indefinite promise of Japan's sug-
gest the somewhat analogous case of
highlands occupation of Malta? She has
occupied Malta for something like cen-
tury, / believe, under a very similar
promise.
The Pre- sident-Well, Senator, I hope
YOU will pardon me IL i do not answer
that question.
Senator Fall-Mr. President, speaking
Of the duty of defence in reference to
sovereignty, and of aggression with rel
t!ence to sovereignty, in construing
these different articles of the league,
lave been curious to know who Will
defend the mandate territories or col
ohies IL there should be external agrees
GJn
The overwhelmingly the man
ostory power
Senator Fall-The mandatory power
would have that character OF soVer-
eighty over~>the possession which would
compel II as duty TO defend the man
Gate province?
The President-Yes.
Senator Fall-Then a qualified sover-
eighty would, in that instance at any
rate, compel the mandatory or the
4 league first to defend the colony?
Tho president-I sh0uld nut IL this