The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-21
Secretary Decides Soldiers
Cannot Supervise Coming
Plebiscite.
IS APPROVED BY BAKER
Reparation Body to Lack,
U. s. Representation Un-
til Ratification.
LEAGUE "DOES NOT EXIST
Constitution Forbids Course
Urged by Europeans, Is
Official View.
LEAGUE "DOES NOT EXIST"
Special Despatch 10 TIE SuN.

Special Despatch TO TIE SUI.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 2O.-With Secre-
tary of State Lansing now directing
the policy of the United States at the
Paris Peace Conference there was
noted to-day decided departure from
the general plan of subservience to
European desires which during the re-
cent negotiations had been in evidence.
Two important decisions not in har-
mony with the wishes OF some of tho
European statesmen or with the gem
cral Interpretation of President Will
sons own views were made known
here to-day. One is that the United
States will not send troops to help
supervise the piebiscites In Silesia or
lean shall participate on the League of
Nations commissions or other commits
sions provided for in the peace treaty
pending ratification of the document
by the United States Senate.
Secretary Lansing is understood to
take the view that so far as the United
States is concerned these various COM
missions do not even exist. Legally he
holds that the treaty and the league
covenant have no force whatever that
may be construed as implying obliga-
tions for Americans until the Senate has
sanctioned their existence. Therefore.
Under Secretary of State Frank L. Polk
head of the American peace delegation,
has received specific instructions from
Mr.. Lansing not to permit American
participation in any form contrary to
the strict Interpretation of the Constitu.
ton. AS a result the American delega-
tion will remain aloof from the various
commissions formed pending action by
the Senate.
Not to Use L. $. Soldiers.
The position taken by the United
states with regard to Europe's desire
that American troops participate in
Siiesia and other places where pleb.
iscites are coming, is even more spe
cific. No single American soldier is 10
re used by Marshal Foch or any other
European or even American commander
in Europe Tor duty under the peace
treaty or its ramincatlons.
The decision of Mr.. Lansing con
CURED In by Secretary Of War Baker, il
that the Government of the United
states has no right to so employ Ameri-
can troops until the Senate ratifies the
treaty or the Congress of the United
states gives specific permission
MI Baker in response to Questions to-
DAY cleared up the Slesian situation.
which has been in a maze of doubt for
some days. Asked II he had heard from
Gen. Tasker II, Bliss, the American
military representatives at Paris CON
cerning the possible use of 5000 Amerj
can troops for Silesia, Mr.. Baker re-
SponGed frankly that he had received a
communication, Gen. Bliss, he said. had
cabed to ask what was the Denart
ments attitude toward using these
troops prior to the treaty's ratification
In reply MIR. Baker cabled that under
no circumstances could the American
troops be employed for any duty under
the peace treaty until the treaty had
been ratified or until the Senate had
given Its sanction.
Reports have reached Mr. Baker that
the Senate might desire to put in a res
erVatlon in the peace treaty covering
the use OF American troops in Europr
For this reason he felt that il WouIu
be all the more unthinkabls for him or
any other Government agency to permit
something which might prove contrary.
to the desires of the Senate charged with
the responsibility of putting the treaty
in final form for ratification