South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-06-11
FORMER SENATOR SAYS
BANKER GAVE HIM COPY
Germans Published Pact So 1t Is Public
Property" Argues Attorney. mo One
Can Deny My Right to Have II"

Bv United Press
WASHINGTON. June 11-Elihu
Root testifying unexpectedly before
the sesate treaty leak" investiga-
tion committee today said that he
has had "a copy of the peace treaty
for about two weeks.
Root said he got it from Eenry
3. Dawson. New York banker, and
who during the war, headed the
American Red Cross war council.
Root appeared before the commit
tee as a voluntary witness.
Root warmly resented he said,
any suggestion by anyone that ne
hl! no right 10 the treaty. He de-
eiared that il had been published IN
run by the German government and
10 thereupon became public proper
IS
secrecy Ended.
"Au diplomatic secrecy ended
when the Germans published the
treaty" said Root Il therefore re-
sent any suggestion that 1 have not
"a right 10 have the treaty and use
it as I see ut. as / propose to do
The publication OF reports that
this committee would inquire into
possession of persons here OF copies
of the draft of the treaty with Ger
Imanv led me TO feel il was proper
If not my duty. for me TO come here
and give the committee certain know
ledge ON the subject which L have,
Root said.
81 have a copy of the so-Called
treaty" Root declared dramatically
have had ii several weeks II was
sent me bv Henry =. Dawson. chair
mann Of the war council Of the Amer
lean Red Cross He sent 1t TO me a
couple of weeks ago.
Claims Right to Pact.
I stand upon my right TO have
r.. deny that anybody can proper
lv question that right. I assert the
entire propriety Of my having IT,
Mr. Dawson had it in Paris
while there in consultation regarding
tb. relation OF the Red Cross 20
those affairs OF international adjust
ment ana he brought it away witA
him
There was no injunction against
persons having possession or the
document bringing it 10 the United
states. I understand there has been
eucb an Injunction or prohibition
f--u.d since Mr. Dawson left Paris.
Rut there was none az the time he
ceme away from Paris against
bringing away any document he
uehtfully held.
I'm was not secret document
Root added.
ra..e-r-nfrfG RIGHT
the treaty draft because Of the re-
1ations Of the Red Cross TO the
treaty provisions.
The relation OF the Red Cross
ro International conventions and 10
traditions of international relations
rlade il such that Air. DavisOn's pos
session OF the treaty was matter
of mo- idle curiosity but "A part Of
official duty OF a man who abandon
rd his great business and gave his
time TO the Red Cross, Root said
Sen Knox asked Root regarding
SEN Iitchcock's charge on the SEN
te floor tat the treaty was "stol-
en- property.
do YOU desire 10 be understood
us saving that you did not have pos
session OF stolen property as was
.sarred ON the floor o. the senate o."
Knox asked
Il repel any such suggestions. ..
Root Indignantly replied. II feel "a
sense of stroug resentment ar being
required TO repel any such suges-
zion.
Was Official Duty
Mr. Davison's unselfish devotion
was beyond our praise and after
TWO wears Of that service il became
his Official duty 10 keep track OF and
become familiar with the new rela-
lions the Red Cross is 20 assume
under the new treaty.
so he was entitled 20 have that
tre4tv." Root repeated. pounding his
FISH ON In table ut was matter OF
ao idle curiosity or ulterior pur-
pose
when the treaty became public
r-opertv by publication by one party
10 No. ne was entitled 20 show h.
II am much obliged 20 him
Sen williams asked Root n DE
found differences between the treaty
and the summary
THE only parts I compared were
the middle sections dealing with
!. Germany" Root explained 81 found
nothing there that had not been
cOgnizapt C before.