Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-07-15
Senate Foreign Relations
Committee Approves ResoIu-
tions Asking for Information
on Versailles Negotiations.
SWANSON GLORIFIES
LEAGUE IN ADDRESS
Says Covenant Absolute Me-
cessity to Guarantee in Near
Future Reforms Resulting
From Peace Agreement.

Washington, July l4.-Paving the
way for detailed consideration OF
the peace treaty, the Senate Foreign
relations committee Monday ap-
proved three resolutions asking
President Wilson for information
bearing on the Versailles negotia
tions.
The resolutions concern the Shan
tung settlement. an alleged secret
understanding between Japan and
Germany. and failure to recognize
Costa Rica as belligerent That
rela ting to the reported japanese
German agreement will be called
up for passage Tuesday in the
senate chamber, where during the
days session debate on the actual
ratification of the treaty began with
display of bitter determination on
both sides.
Wilson Discusses Phases.
The committee took no action on
President Wilson's suggestion that
he explain directly disputed points
of the peace settlement, though the
president reiterated to his support
ers at the capital his readiness to
consult with the committee mem
bers. With several senators not on
the committee, he also discussed at
the White House certain features OF
the treaty.
In the resolution to be pressed for
action Tuesday the president was
asked for copy of treaty said i'll
press dispatches to have been nego-
tiated in 1918, by which Japan was to
safeguard indirectly Germans inter
ests at the peace conference. Before
voting its favorable report the COM
mittee added a request for ANY fur
ther information concerning any ne
gotiations between Japan and Ger
many during the progress of the
war" The resolution was introduced
by Senator Lodge, republican, Mas
sachusetts, chairman of the COM
mittee.
Shantung Resolution.
The Shantung resolution, intro
duced by Senator Borah (rep.)
Idaho, would request a copy of a
letter said to have been written on
behalf of General Bliss, Secretary
Lansing and Henry White protest
ing against the treaty provisions at
fecting Shantung. Information also
would be asked with reference to
the attempt of Japan or her peace
delegates to imitimidate the Chinese
peace delegates"
The third resolution would in
quire why Costa Rica was not per-
mitted" to sign the peace treaty and
whether Nicaraguan forces are
now permitted" to invade or
threaten Costa Rican territory. The
measure was presented by Senator
La Toilette (rep.), Wisconsin. Both
the Lodge and La Toilette resolu-
tions were reported without a record
vote, but in the Borah measure all
the democratic members present
voted in the negative.
Swanson Opens Debate.
The senate debate was opened by
Senator Swanson, Virginia, a demo-
cratic member of the committee,
with a speech declaring American
participation in the league OF
nations an absolute necessity to
guaranteeing in the near future the
reforms resulting from peace. He
asserted there would be no loss of
sovereignty, and argued that Arti-
Gle 10 would be a great aid in
guaranteeing the safety of outlying
American possessions.
The debate will continue Tuesday,
Senator Norris, republican, Ne
braska, and Senator Underwood,
democrat, Alabama, being among
those who expect to speak.