Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-06-04
SAYS TREATY COPY
IN PRIVATE HANDS
Senator Lodge Charges He Was
Offered Document by New
York Interests.
Is WITHHELD FROM SENATE
Massachusetts Senator Declares
Pact Seems Available to All
But Upper House.
Is WITHHELD FROM SENATE
IBv Associated PrnN

bN Associated PreSS
WASHTNGTON June & senator
Lodge. chairman of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee told the Senate
today he had seen in the hands OF busi-
ness interests in New York copy OF
the treaty with Germany. given out
by American representatives at Paris.
but withheld by the State Department
from the Senate.
The statement caused "A sharp debate
upon the course OF President Wilson
and the State Department regarding
publica tion OF the treaty text
The treaty is in New York" said
Senator Lodge. Il saw a copy OF u
yesterday. I was offered copy But
not come into my hands without being
published heard of four copies in
IS the Senate OF the United States
the first suggestion that the treaty
Iess 1ssse was a.: ayailable .lse in New York was
OF Idaho. when a request was made by
Senator Johnson, Republican. of Cali
fornia. that his resolution asking the
State Department for the text be al
lowed 10 go over until the woman suf-
fraSe amendment was disposed of by
the Senate.
Senator Swanson Anks Authority.
Senator Swanson asked the authority
for this statement. and it was then
that Senator Lodge announced he had
seen the treaty. Senator Swanson said
an Associated Press dispatch had
stated President Wilson had agreed not
TO make the treaty public at present.
and argued that the Johnson resolution
would amount TO request that the
President break his word. Publica-
tion abroad, he said. was due probab bly,
10 the fact that some one else had
broken faith
Senator Swanson urged that the
resolution be referred to the Foreign
Relations Committee.
Senator Lodge said that would be
farce "People were given these
copies abroad he continued, some
may have been mailed. Yet we are
told that this is delicate question:"
British nor French Parliaments had
been given official copies.
Because Germany broke faith is no
reason for the Senate to ask the Presi-
dent TO break faith" said Senator
Swanson. stating that the committee
could meet tomorrow, summon the Act
the text is not public.
May Relense Text of Treaty.
'ReEardless OF any agreement. as
sumo that when the President learns
that New York interests have It in
their possession the President will no
keep faith"
Senator Borah interrupted: II think
the treaties in New. York did not come
from the Germans"
Senator Swanson suggested that the
committee investigate.
II don't want any investigations
said Senator Borah. Il want the Presi-
dent 70 know that those people in New
York are using il in a semipubltc way
for their private information"
lf the President made an agreement
not to give il out. there is no reason
why the President should not advise
US OF the fact. if il is fact If il
is true that copies have gone into the
hands OF special interests. I think the
President would feel relieved of his
agreement and give us the treaty"
Senator Johnson interrupted to urge
that the debate be closed and the
woman suffrage resolution be passed
on and the incident was closed