The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-08-07
LANSING SAYS AMERICAN
PLAN FOR LEAGUE WAS
NOT PRESSED At PARIS

NUI | ilO0lU NJ ! HIllO
Washington, Aug, Secretary Ian.
sing told the senate foreign relations
committee today that the American
plan for league OF nations was mot
pressed" at Versailles and never was
presented to the fun peace conference.
The secretary, appearing at a public
hearing Of the committee, said he did
not know whether copy OF the Am.
erican draft still was In existence. lie
presumed, he said. that the draft was
made by President Wilson. and added
that copy might still be in the prcsi
dents possession.
Discussing the Shantung provision
of the treaty, Secretary Lansing said
the Lansing lschli agreement, made TO
obtain reaffirmation by Japan OF the
open door policy IN China, was entered
into by the American government with.
out knowledge of the secret treaty be
tween Japan and the allies for a trans.
fer of German concessions in Shantung
To Japan.
Mr.. Lansing said II was true that |
President Wilson had cabled to the |
peace commission requesting that the |
confidential minutes OF the proceed |
ings of the commission on the League .
of Nations be- not furnished to the .
French senate.
Senator Brandegee asked regarding
press reports that the president had .
cabled Premier Cemenceau of France
"disapproving' a request Of the French
senate for the minutes.
That isn't "A true statement of the
facts" said Mr.. Lansing. The senate
chamber in Paris asked Mr.. Clemcn.
ceau to lay before II the minutes of
the commission on the League of Ma.
tions, ana Mr.. Clcmenceau said as that
was matter pertaining to other gov.
crnments as well as the French gov
ernmcnt, he must make inquiry.
He inquired Of me and l said my
impression was that, because of the
great freedom of debate, ii might cause
irritation ana would be unwise to lay
the minutes before the senate. and that ,
would communicate with the presi.
lent, The president agreed with me
and cabled the peace commission"
Borah Asks About Shantung y
The Shantung settlement then was ;
aiken up by Senator Borah, republican, d
daho, who asked when the state de. X
'artment first heard of the secret u
reaty between Japan, Great Britain, a
rance and Italy, for the cessation of
'hantung to Japan. n
81 should have to look the matter
p before | could give definite ans
yer Mr.. Lansing replied He later
romised to do this and inform the
ommittee. y
When the Lansing Ishii agreement y
as made, Mr.. Lansing said, the de
artment knew of Japan's p demands
pom China, but added that the de Il
lands did not enter into the discus. al
on of the agreement. V
AT no time was it understood that of
le Lansing lshii agreement was the
Of Japan's Il demands
ked Senator Borah
Absolutely not" said Mr. Lansing. ~
Ne are opposed to them" -
And the agreement was not en- w
rcement of the secret agreement re ~
riding shantung?"
No"
And if Won had known Of those se To
Il agreements would Won have likely co
tered into the agreement with Wis. an
unit Ishii?"
Yes, l think So" Mr.. Lansing re
ed. Il think | can say that one of fol
p very reasons for the Lansing Ishii
rcement was to secure from Japan
re declaration on the open door pol be,
which she gave" it
Borah asked whether the Id.
nslng lshii agreement had been con Ian
cred as an endorsement of Japan's
demands. 7
I know it was in Japan" Mr.. W.
nsing replied, but | never knew ,to
was in China" w
Asks If China Protested
Did not China send q protest"
/ will have to refresh my memory"
Was the secret agreement between ~
an and the allies brought to the 80
'ntion Of the president before you rem
1t to Versailles" ION
Oh, yes" son
ecretary Lansing said bo nor,oo win
would be opposed to furnishing the turn
ate copy Of the transcript of the
ussions before the league of ma NJ
$ section Of the peace conference, NOR
the general principle" that it might they
'e irritating to other nations will
s-- Bvr
j. Bass Of Atlanta Georgia is in Mrs
city the guest Of his cousin j. A. mot
1 Mn Bass has Just returned car
! overseas duty. with the American stat,
dictionary Forces and is taking 81
I vacation before embarking in NJ