Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-09-13


ton that Secretary Lansing opposed
ratification of the peace treaty and
league of nations covenant, although
he was member of the American
peace commission that drafted it, was
flung today before the senate foreign
relations committee by William c.,
Bullitt Of Philadelphia, formerly em-
ployed by the mission at Paris in
confidential capacity.
The testimony, purporting to give
Mr.. Lansing's private' opinion ex-
pressed 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 sem
sationally. Bullitt had just expressed
reluctance at the idea of revealing
any part of private conversation
with the peace commissioners and
members of the committee quite
agreed with this view.
Were Not For II.
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, all
members of the American commission,
Expressed vigorous opinions" Bullitt
said, adding in reply TO an inquiry
by the ehaiimap. that, these opinions
were not enthusiastic.
Then from a memorandum of the
conversation, dictated, he said, while
1t was fresh in his mind, Bullitt quoted
the secretary on many points saying
that Mr. Lansing opposed the award
of Shantung to Japan, that he con-
sidered the league thoroughly bad,
that the large nations would pay little
attention to the small nations, and
that the world had been arranged ac-
cording to the desires of the big ma
tions at the peace conference.
Sensational Statement.
The most sensational statement
attributed by the witness to the
secretary of state was that ''if the
senate and the American people
knew what the treaty meant, IL
would be defeated Senator Knox
really would understand the
treaty, Mr., Lansing said, accord
ing to the witness, and "Mr.
Lodge would, but Mr.. Lodges po-
sltion would become purely po-
= liucal."
There was no democratic senator in
attendance when this testimony was
given, nor at other times during the
hearing, and nobody took up the
cudgels for the American commits
SION When news of Bufitt's testi-
mony spread about the capitol it was
extensively discussed, and senator's
were anxious to hear from Mr. Ian
sing. When some of them endeav-
ored to reach him at the state depart
ment they found he was out of town
and an Associated Press dispatch later
from Watertown, N. Y, said he de-
clined TO make any statement, and had
gone fishing.
Attached to Mission.
Bullitt, formerly a newspaper cor
went to Paris with Presi-
dent Wilson's party and was attached
to the mission. He was summoned to
testify before the treaty was reported
out by the committee, but was in the
Maine woods on a camping trip and
the notice did not reach him until
few days ago. This was explained by
Chairman Lodge to show why the |
hearing had apparently been re-
opened.
A wealth of information, regarded
as more or less confidential, was Civ |
en- by the witness during his three
hour statement. In February last he |
was sent by Secretary Lansing to Pet
rograd TO bring back from the soviet |
leaders a statement showing the ex-
act terms on which they would agree
to peace.
This report, which told among
other things of good order" estah- |
lished by the Bolsheviki, Lenine's de- |
sire for peace, his readiness to COM
promise at many points in order to |
obtain it, and his promise that all for |
eign debts of the soviet government /
would be paid, never was made pub /
ic, Bullitt said, because the president |
would not agree. Lloyd George |
wanted it printed. he said, yet later
re premier denied all knowledge of
t when questioned in parliament
Worked Under House.
BulHtt described himself as clear
ng house On information for the dele
cation and worked generally under
Colonel f. NJ. House. He showed the
committee the presidents original
eague proposal, written on the presi-
ient's own typewriter and bearing an
inscription by Colonel House attest
ng the latter's high regard for the
witness. Bullitt quoted Colonel House
reely, and when asked why he had
-esigned~ produced from great stack
If papers O letter he had written the
PRESIDENT expressing his lack of satis-
action with the way the peace nego-
iations were proceeding and partiou-
arly voicing disapproval of the league
# nations. About the only part of the
Presidents league proposal incorpor-