The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-06
THEY OPPOSED 1T
q. S. Delegates Advised Wilson
Against Shantung Decision.
Secretary Lansing Testifies
Before Senate Committee.
ADMITS WILSON SECRECY URGE
President Suggested French
Senate Not Be Given Minutes.
~
Signed Lansing-Ischii Pact Not
knowing of Secret Treaty.
ADMITS WILSON SECRECY URGE

Washington. Aug. 6.-The clause in
the peace treaty by which Japan was
given the German rights in Shantung
failed to agree with the advice of the
American delegates to President Will
son, Secretary Lansing told the senate
foreign relations committee today.
General Bliss, in the name of the
other delegates. wrote a letter to the
president a week bfore the Shantung
custom was settled. Lansing said.
THE president conferred with the
commissioners in connection with the
japanese situation and he wanted to
know II we would communicate our
views in writing" Lansing told the
committee.
General Bliss prepared a letter.
which he showed to Mr.. White and
myself and we concurred in IT. II
was some days before the Shantung
decision was announced, and was In
the nature Of advice to the president.
Advice Wasn't Followed.
Did the advice correspond with
what was accomplished? asked Sen
ator Borah.
mo" Lansing replied.
Lansing denied the letter was pro-
test since II was written about week
before the peace conference and its
decision.
"Do you recall the contents of the
letter q" Borah asked.
Il shouldn't want to, it was letter
from General Bliss to the president"
Lansing answered,
els It available to the committee?"
asked Borah.
mot from the state department"
Lansing said 1T is a private COM
munication"
Is Closely Questioned.
Lansing. appearing before the COM
mittee for the first time since his re-
turn from Paris. was questioned re-
Earding many phases OF the peace
conference.
Senators questioned him closely
about China and Japan and about the
various plans for a league of nations.
Lansing said that Chinese delegates
discussed with American delegates at
Paris regarding protecting their inter-
ests from encroachment by Japan.
Admits wilson's Secrecy Plan.
He said 1t was true that President
Wilson recently suggested that a de-
mand by the French senate for con-
fidential minutes of the peace confer
ence be refused as it might cause en-
barrassment because of the frank
nature of some of the discussions.
Lansing said 1t would be some time
before the records of the conference
would be brought to America as they
were being used during preparation Of
the other treaties.
Then there is some question about
their being available to us?" Senator
Brandegee inquired.
IF they relate to the commission
we will have to get the permission of
other governments to submit them,
Lansing answered.
The secretary said he was not on
the commission and could not say
what discussions occurred that would
make publications undesirable.
Regarding APPALLED, Secret Pact.
Discussing the Shantung provision
of~the treaty Secretary Lansing said
the Lansing-Ischii agreement made to
obtain reaffirmation by Japan of the
open door pplicy in China was entered
into by the American government
without knowledge of the secret treaty
between Japan and the allies for a
transfer of German concessions in
Shantung to Japan.
When Borah asked IL China protest
ed against the Lansing-Ishii agree
ment. Lansing said ne would have to
Took It up"
When Lansing said he could not re-
call Just when the secret agreements
between Japan and the allies were
learned of by the state department,
Borah askd that he get the exact In
formation for the committee.
Questioning then turned on the at
titude Of American delegates toward
China ut the peace conference
No Formal Appeal From China.
"Did China make an appeal to the
United States with reference to her
territorial integrity and for the good