New-York tribune., 1919-03-15
U. S. Delegates
Will Protest
Secret Treaty
Approval of London Pact
OH Crecian Boundaries
Criticized by Americans

fARlS, March IA (By The Associ-
ated Press lit has been learned thag
the status of secret treaties and con-
ventlons made during the war again
mas arisen. Statements to-day by some
of the American delegates to the peace
conference were to the effect that the
action of a majority Of the commission
dealing with the subject OF Grecian
boundaries in declaring that the Treat :
of London of 1915 was effective, Will
not be permitted to go unchallengcd
and could not become effective unless
ratified by the council OF ten, which.
they asserted, would refuse its ap-
proval.
The subject matter of the decision
of the commission is not Of especial
interest to Americans, but the decision
relative to the Treaty of London,
which is one Of those secret conven-
tons made during the war, is regarded
as of the gravcst Importance, it being
said to be in direct conflict with one
Of President Wilson's fourteen points
concerning such agreements and one
relative to the right OF self determine
ton of small nations.
II is held that if the decision of the
majority OF the commission were up
held it would carry with it affirmation
Of ltaly's claims to nearly all the east
ern shore OF the Adriatic, as we'll as
of oth~r agreements for the DISPOSE
ton OF colonial possessions which have
been regarded as proper subjects for
action of the Supreme Council and
the peace conference itself
point of especial interest is that
the action was taken by the commits
sion through combination of votes Of
Great Britain, France and Italy.
Must Drop Tsing-tao Claims
The Supreme Council virtually decided
to include in the preliminary treaty of
peace a requirement that Germany
shall relinquish her lcasehold of Tsing-
tao and all properties and concessions
on the Shantung Peninsula.
No attempt, it is understood, will be
made at present to render a decision
as to the ultimate possession of Ger
many's rights, which is now the subject
OF controversy between the Japanese
and Chinese delegations in Paris. The
former holds that Japan acquired the
leaschold by right of conquest over
the German forces there, although she
is willing to permit the ultimate status
Of the Shantung Peninsula to be deter
mined by the peace conference. China
contends the > was automatically
cancelled by tne expulsion Of the Ger
mans, who originally acquired it by
force, and that The property reverts to
China.
1t is expected the final adjustment
will be made in the dcfinitvc peace
treaty or by the league of nations, un-
less, in the mean time, the principals
to the controversy reach mutually
satisfactory agreement.
conference on Terms To-day
The Supreme Countil will meet to-
morrow at 3 p. IN. to consider the
definite military and naval conditions
to be imposed upon Germany.
An interesting question of Importance
to the United States has arisen here.
Upon its answer depends the continued
operation Of much war legislation, such
as control of railroads, the prohibition
Of the manufacture and sale Of liquors.
and similar cnactments with reference
to the date on which the war officially
will cease.
Assuming that Secretary of State
Lansing will sign the peace treaty for
the United States, along with the pow
ers associated with the United States
in the ,saf, when i "a signed by the
Germans, !. Is pointed out that this
act Will rot become effective. as far
as the United States ia concerned until
II IS ratified b. the United States
Senate.
Ratification Might lag
Even Il that body were favorahly dis
posed, 1t was stated TO day, ratification
Nigh. be long deferred, because the Sem
ate Is ii tccess and so viii remain
Continued on merit s,n0s