The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-09-17
Republican Members of Com
mittee Question Peace Con-
ference Witness
CHARGES MADE THAT
FACTS WERE SUPPRESSED
Bullitt Says That Secretary Ian
sing and Other Delegates Are
Opposed to Treaty

Washington, Sept 12.-The asser-
tioa that Secretary Lansing opposed
ratification of the peace threaty and
league of nations covenant, although
he vas a member Of the American
peace commission that drafted it, was
made today before the senate foreign
relations committee by William C.
Rullitt. of Philadelphia, formerly
by the mission at Paris, IN
a confidential capacity. The testi-
mony, purporting to give Mr.. Lam
sings private opinion expressed in,
conversation with the witness the day
the latter resigned from the mission
because he was not in sympathy with
the treaty or the league, popped out
suddenly and senSationally. BulatI
had just expressed relutance at the
idea Of revealing any part of a. pri-
yate conversation with the peace
commissioners, and members Of the
committee quite agreed with this view
Near the close Of a three hour hear
ing, however, Chairman Lodge asked
how the treaty and its covenant was
regarded at Paris. Secretary Lansing.
Henry White and General Bliss. al!
members of the American commits
sion expressed vigorous opinions.
Bullitt said. adding, in reply to an in
quiry by the chairman, that these
opinions were not enthusiastic.
Then from memorandum Of the
conversation, dictated, he said, While
Z it. was fresh in his mind, Built
Quoted the secretary on many points
Saying that Mr.. Lansing opposed the
award Of Shantung to Japan, that he
considered the league thoroughly bad,
thar the large nations would pay lit
tie attention to the small nations. and
tssat the world had been arranged Sac-
2efding to the desires of the big ma
tf8Ns at: the peace conference.
The most sensational statement al
taibtited by the witness to the secre-
stasy OF state was that if the senate
and the American people knew what
the treaty meant it would be defeat
seA'' Senator Knox really would un-
derstand the treaty, Mr.. Lansing said
according to the witness. and Mr..
Lodge would, but Mr.. Lodges posi-
ton would become purely political.
There were no Democratic senators
iii attendance when this testimony
was given nor at any time during the
hearing, and nobody took up the cud-
gels for the American commissioner.
When news Of Bullitt's testimony
spread about the capital it was es-
tansively discussed. and senator's sald
they were anxious TO hear from Mr..
Laasing. When some OF them en-
deavored to reach him at the state de
partment they found he was out OF
town, and an Associated Press dis
batch later from Watertown, \. Y,
said he declined to make any state
Taent and had gone fishing.
RuIlitt, formerly a newspaper cor
respondent, went to Paris with Pres
ident Wilson's party and was attached
To the mission. He was summoned to
testify before the treaty was reported
ont by committee, but was in the
Maine woods on a camping tFlp ana
the notice did not reach him until (;
few days ago This was explained by
Chairman Lodge to show why the
hearing apparently had been reopen
ed.
A wealth Of information. regarded
as more or less confidential, was Civ
en- by the witness during this three
hour statement. In February last hs
said he was sent By Secretary Lansing
fe Petrograd TO bring back from the
soviet leaders a statement Showlns
the exact terms on (which they would
agree to peace This report, Wh!cf
told among other things Of good or,
der. and established by the Boil
sf1eyiki, "Lenine's desire for peace, ms
readiness to compromise at man!
points in order to obtain it and HI:
promise that all foreign debts OF tn:
1overeign government be padl never
was made public. Mr.. Bullitt SAID, be-
cause the president would not agree
LLOYD George wanted it printed. ne
said. vet later the premier denied al
knowledge of it when Questiond II
parliament.
Bullitt described himself as clear
ing house of information for the dele
cation and worked generally undei
Col. E. NJ House. He showed the
committee the presidents orlglna
league proposal, written on the presi-
dents own typewriter and bearing ar
inscription by Colonel House at
testing the iatter's high regard foi
the witness Bullitt, quoted Col. Hous-
freely, and when asked why he hat
resigned produced from q great stacF
of papers n letter he had written the
president expressing his lack of sat
;sfaction with the way the peace nc
gotiations were proceeding and par
t;cularly voicing disapproval OF tn,
league Of nations. About the only par
of the presidents league proposal IN
corporated in the covenant. he sad
was the widely debated Article 10
which remained intact. Once II
paris Bullitt had an engagement WITT
the president, which he said. th'
president called off because Of head
ache. He laid before the commit