New-York tribune., 1919-07-15
Invites Members of For.
eign Relations Body
to White House to
Hear Treaty Report
Move FOrestalls
Republican Quiz
Democrats Hold League
Reservations Unneces.
sary; Would CauseD Delay
By Carter ield
NeW York Tr,bnne
NGshir0fou Ryre0u

New York T,ibune
Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, July 14.-President
Wilson will not appear before the Sem
ate Foreign Relations Committee at
the Capitol for crosse examination on
the league of nations, the peace treaty
or the proceedings at Paris. He sent
word to the committee through Senator
Hitchcock to day that he would be glad
to see the committee-at the White
House-at any time on twenty-four
hours notice
This is absolutely in line. according
to the view of Republican Senators. with
the attitude in the committee to-
day Of Administration Senators. They
fought every proposition made by the
Republicans seeking to obtain informa
ton as to the Paris proceedings.
The line of defence to be made BIZ
the Administration against the four bip
reservations--to which majority of the
Senate is now virtually pledged-and
also to al other reservations or changes
IN the treaty, vas made clear to day
IN the Keynote" speech of Senator
Swanson, of Virginia, and in the col
ioqules which followed it between Sen
ators Kellogg and Fall for the Repub.
means, and Senators Swanson, Hitch
cock and Pittman for the Administra-
ton.
Call Reservation Unnecessary
This defence was about as follows.
Farst--All the reservat tions pro.
posed are unnecessary, the language
OF the covenant already covering
them
Second The objection TO the reser-
vatlons is not to the IDEAS they cover
apparently no fight will be made on
this-but to the belief that thev will
have to be approved by all the ma
tons joining the league, process
that will take long time.
Th'rd-No harm can come to the
United States through the league be-
cause action must be unanimous.
Fourth-Congress can virtually con-
troll or at least prevent any action BY
the league council because II can de-
fine the powers and duties of the
American representative on it. who,
Of course. must assent 10 any unani-
NOUS action. A bill 20 define the
duties and powers of this representa-
tive is being drafted now by another
Senator at Mr.. Hitchcock's request
President Wilson asked Senator
Hitchcock IN telephone conversation
just after the arrival of Mr.. Hitchcock
in Washington this morning. 10 tell
the committee he would be glad 70 see
the members at the White House.
Attitude Surprises Senator's
This was surprise 70 many Sem
ators of both parties, IN view of the
Presidents statement in his address
last week that my services and al the
information I possess viii be az the
disposal Of your Committee on For
eign Relations at any time, either in
formally or IN session, as you may pre-
fer"
Indicating clearly that the President
did not want to appear before tbs
committee as witness who could be
cross-exa1nined. this rews was q great
appointment TO Senators Borah,
Johnson, Fall and Moses, who wished
to question Mr.. Wilson, and 20 Senator
Brandegee, who was absent to-day but
whose cross-examination OF the presi-
dent was very eagerly locked forward
to by Republican Senators.
II is felt that the President cznnot
be closely examined at q meeting IN
the White House, although Senator
Knox believes that a formal meeting
could be held in the Executive Man
sion not only Of the committee but,
if it were desirable, Of the Senate Itxelt
1t is not thought th2t this Will be
done, the prevailing opinion among
Senator'S to-day heing that the cnn-
rittee would 20 TO the White House
and hear what the President had to
say, but that it would Depend for most
OF the information which might be ex-
pected to come from cruss-examinatian
upon Secretary Of State Lansing.
Rrande9ee Grill Remembered
There WAS much speculation as tn
wtather tho President. in view of his
wish to avoid an appearance hefara
the committee at the Capitol, VIII at
tsnrHt TO put the seaI Of secrecy CD
what he may say az any audiences he
glvas tire committee at the White
Honse. AT the previous meeting at
ths Wnlta HOUSE the President told
The 0n1nmirree they might tell tho
preHn all that happrned. He also per-
IlrtRc Qs1nstIaua tn be asknd.. SONS
Senators said to-day it was the NAM
ory of the Baarysring aunstians ualsed
On lhat occasion by Mr. Brandsrsn
that czussd what apparently is q right
ahout-fscs on the part of the Pres
idsnt with respect TO appearing hefors
the committee at the Capitol. 81
Senators were Interested in the the.
ory &C Senator Knox that even ths
Senate itself could hold formal maet-
ings at tho Whits House. Mr.. .Kuox
III defending this idea quotad the San.
ats rule specifying that the President
Of tho United States shall sit az tina
night Of tina prcsiding officer il the
meeting is in tha Senanc Chau1Rrr