The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-27
Congress Hears What the Pres.
ident Has to Say.
lie Called for Questions and
Then Answered Them.
EXTENDS MONROE DOCTRINE
MandatOries Guard, Guide and
Supervise Hun Colonies.
Disarmament Depends on Faith
of Various Countries.

It
conferences with members of congress
on the legislative situation were ar
ranged today with President Wilson.
He planned to be in his office at the
capitol from $3.50 to $50 o'clock this
afternoon.
The presidents engagement list in
cIuded Speaker Clark and the Missouri
delegation, Senator Martin of Vir-
Ginia, Democratic leader; Governor
Stanley of Kentucky: Senators Rams
dell. Smith of South Carolina, Pom
creme. Thompson, Gerry and McKellar
and Representatives Sherley, Garner
and Curtin.
Wilson's own Interpretation of the
league of nations constitution was
pl iced before congress today. 1t was
presented informally TO house and sem
ate members by the foreign relations
committees of the two bodies. They
received it from the president last
night at a diIner and conference at
the White House.
1t will be given more formally to
the senate IN speeches by administra-
ton leaders. Absolute freedom to
make public every detail of last nights
conference was explicitly given those
attending it, they said today At the
frank d scussion of the league by con-
grers and the country.
The presidents position of provi-
sons. about which debate has CEN
tered was made plain in answer to
questions asked him by his guests.
they said today.
He Answered Questions.
The president did not take up the
league constitution article by article
and eXpound it, nor did he make a
speech. He invited questions and then
answered them.
In view of the presidents evident
desire that congress and the people
set Gl possible information concern
ing the workings of the projected
league. those attending the dinner and
conference talked freely today.
The presidents Interpretation as it
appcared to the committee members
nd as stated by them to the United
Press, is given herewith:
Extends the Monroe Doctrine.
Monroe doctrines: The proposed
le-5da extends the Monroe doctrine to
the entire world and thus would
strengthen instead of weaken or de-
stroy this trad tional American policy.
aIandato..ies: The provision for
states mandatory to supervise, guide
and guard former colonies of Ger
many or her allies does not compel
uAy nat on to assume the task of man
datory against its will.
In THIS connection, the president
stated. according to committee MEM
bcrs. that numerous requests have
been made that the United States act
mandatory in the cases of a num-
Der of countries. But it will be with
the greatest reluGtance that this coun-
try undertake such work. the presi-
dent is quoted as saying. He indicated.
it was stated, that if this country does
become mandatory, Armenia is like
ly 10 he the object of our care.
The mandatory plan was adopted,
committee members quoted the presi-
dent as saying, because of the obvious
difficulties of outright annexations.
Good Faith VIII Tell.
Disarmament: Effective disarma-
ment. in the presidents view, stated
by members, depends upon C) the
good faith and honor of nations of the
league and CD enforcement of the pro-
vision against general private manu-
facture of arms, munitions and wal
material
Each nation is the judge of the pro-
gram necessary to insure its own safe
ty and it is here, in the president:
view that unless absolute good faith
is shown. disarmament will not be
completely effective. But the provi.
sion limiting production of war ma
terial will, in his opinion, go far to ai6
disarmament by preventing the equip
ping of a huge army or super-army
Nothing in the constitution, he i:
Continued or Page TwoO