Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-08-06
AMERICAN PLAN
FOR LEAGUE
NOT ! PRESSED
Lansing Declares He Doubts
That There is Copy Of
Draft in Existence.

Washington. Aug. 6.-secretary
Lansing told the senate foreign rela-
tions committee today that the Ameri-
can plan for a League Of Nations was
mot pressed at Versailles and never
was presented to the full peace con-
ference. u.
The secretary. appearing at a pub
lie hearing Of the committee, said he
did not know whether copy of the
American draft still was in existence.
He presumed, he said. that the draft
was made by President Wilson, and
added that copy might still be in the
presidents possession.
Discussing the Shantung provision
of the treaty, Secretary Lansing said
the Lansing Ischii agreement, made
to obtain reaffirmation by japan OF
the open door policy in China, was
entered into by the American govern
ment without knowledge Of the secret
treaty between japan and the Allies
for transfer of German concessions
in Shantung to Japan.
Mr.. Lansing said it was true that
President Wilson had telegraphed to
Premier Clemenceau requesting that
the confidential minutes of the pro-
ceedings Of the commission on the
League of Nations be not furnished
to the French senate.
Would Oppose it.
Secretary Lansing said he person
ally would oppose furnishing the SEN
ate copy Of the transcript Of the dis
cussion before the League of Nations
section of the peace conference ION
the general principle that it might
prove Irritating to other nations.
Declares Report Untrue.
Mr.. Lansing did not recall how the
American plan differed from that
eventually adopted. Asked by Sena.
tor Brandegee, Republican, Connec'
ticut, whether it was true that the
American plan was drafted by two
New York lawyers for the president
the witness replied:
II think that is not true"
And was the plan not destroyed
because 1t was absorbed?" asked MI
II never heard of that" said Mr.
Lansing.
"The secretary said he thought the
plan now embodied in the league
covenant was decided Improvement
on the American plan.'
Asked how expenses Of the league
were to be paid, the secretary said he
understood the league had no author.
ity to assess any nation, but would
apDortion the expenses, and their pay.
ment SO far as the United, States was
concerned. would be entirely depend,
ent upon the decision of congress unr
der the same plan as that by. which
expenses Of nineteen other tnterna-
ticrhsl, orgapizations In which. th'
/ United States participate now ar.
paid.
< The. propriety of trying the forme,
German emperor was discussed a
some length by Secretary Lansing
who safd the American commissioner
dealing with the questions were un,
animously in the opinion that lega
trial could not be had.
will there be trial?" askot
Borah.
Il don't know" the secretary smi!.
ingly replied.
Some senators suggested that the
former emperor Shou.u De reuulfc.. d..
surrender to military tribunal a.
Napoleon did for trial under genera
court martial authority.
THAT was the report Of the com.
mission with which the United States
disagreed said Mr.. Lansing. III
seemed to me that in such a proceed
ing there would be grave doub
whether the guilt of the defendant
could be established and it might lei
him off, free