The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1919-07-15
Senate Questions Right
Of Wilson to Conceal
History of Conference
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mitted to invade Costa Rics. and
why was Costa Rica not permitted
to sign the peace treaty at YER
sailles?
Want Full Report.
The committee has under consid-
GRAFTON a resolution by Senator
johnson demanding the full steno-
graphic record of the meetings os
the big five" and the other COM
missioners. at which the league OF
nations was considered and agreed
upon. This resolution probably Will
be adopted by the committee today.
Administration Senators, appar-
emily rejecting the Presidents own
position in the matter. stubbornly
opposed all attempts made by the Re.
publican majority to have the veil
Of secrecy torn aside so that the
committee might know the inside
history OF all Peace Conference
transactions.
The position taken by the Demo-
cratic members of the committee Is
that the committee has no right to
inquire into any of the reasons which
led to the adoption of specific provi-
sions in the treaty They contend
that such Information in the posses
sion of the President Is confidential.
and should not be inquired into.
Wilson Plain Delegate.
The Republicans contend that the
President went to Paris as a dele
gate from the United States to the
Peace Conference. and that the For
eign Relations Committee Is not bound
to respect any confidence that may
exist between him and other parties
to the conference. They assert the
constitutional right of the committee
to inquire into the reasons for any
provision In the treaty regarding
which they may desire information.
The majority members of the COM
mittee emphasized their belief III the
soundness of this view by passing the
La Toilette resolution regarding Costa
Rica, the Lodge resolution asking for
the truth about the alleged secret
treaty between Japan and Germany.
and the Borah resolution inquiring
about the reported protest of three
members of the American peace
delegation against the Shantung de-
olson. The vote on the Borah reso-
| luton was 9 to 4, and on the Lodge
resolution Is to 2. Senators Hitchcock
and Swanson. leaders Of the admin
istration fight for the league. voting
mo-"
Probe Jap Relations.
A clash which may assume pro-
portions of magnitude is looked for
when the amended resolution by SEN
ator Lodge on the question of the
alleged secret treaty between japan
and Germany comes before the Sem
ate. Senator Lodge intends to call
up this resolution today. As amend
ed by the committee, 1t not only asks
for a copy Of the treaty. but demands
ANY further informant ton concerning
any negotiations between japan and
Germany during the progress of the
war"
Senator Hitchcock came back from
the golf links of Swampscott yester-
day and assumed the position of lead
ership of the Democratic forces,
thereby giving denial to the report
that he had been deposed. He tele-
phoned the White House and talked
with the President on the subject Of
the Presidents appearance before the
Foreign Relations Committee to dis
cuss the treaty.
President Backs Water.
The President indicated in his talk
with Senator Hitchcock that his
statement of a few days ago had
been misunderstood. and that he did
not mean that he was willing to sit
with the committee at the Capitol
and be cross-questioned. On the con-
trary, the President informed Sena-
tor Hitchcock he will be entirely
willing to have the committee visit
him at the White House, provided
twenty-four hours notice Is given.
This statement from the President
was regarded by some of the anti
league Senators as a reversal of pol
icy on the part of the President and
caused keen disappointment to sew
eral of the Senators who had hoped
to be able to ask the President some
questions.
Senator Knox indicated that the
committee will refuse to go to the
White House. for the reason that
IT would be undignified for the COM
mittee TO go around to the back
door of the White House seeking in
formation" He expressed the opin-
ion that the committee will adhere
to the dignified custom of sending
letters to the President whenever spe-