Omaha daily bee., 1919-08-12
Japanese Ambassador to
US. Concealed Existence Of
Treaty With Allies From
American Secretary of State.
GOT FIRST INTIMATI0N
OF PACT AT VERSAILLES
Discussing Paris Negotiations,
Says American Delegation
Did Not Consider Itself
Bound by Secret Agreements.

Washington, Aug. 11.-Existence
of the secret treaty between Japan
ard Great Britain regarding the
Shantung, China, peninsula, was
concealed from Secretary Lansing
by Viscount Ishii, Japanese ambas-
sador to the United States, Mr..
Lansing testified today before the
senate foreign relations committee.
On September E, 1917, Mr.. Lam
sing said, during the negotiations
leading up to the Lansing-Ishii
agreement, Viscount Ishii told him
that he had assured Sir Edward
Grey, the British foreign minister.
that Japan would return Kiao Chau
to China, "but would have to retain
the German Pacific islands because
no Japanese government could stand
without retaining them
Ishii Remained Mum.
did Viscount Ishii make any
further statement regarding the dis
position of German claims in
China?" asked Senator Borah, re-
publican, Idaho.
"No," replied Secretary Lansing.
"But you know now that at that
time Japan had an understanding
with Great Britain for Japanese con-
troll of~Kiao Chau and that Ishii
co4acealed that from the secretary Of
the United States?"
That's the truth"
The secretary said he first heard
of the secret treaties on the subject
between Japan and Great Britain,
France, Russia and Italy, in Feb
ruary of this year at Versailles. He
said he had investigated very
thoroughly and that these secret
treaties never were published in
Russia
No Mention of Treaty.
| Secretary Lansing said neither
former Premier Viviani of France
nor former Foreign Minister Bal
four of Great Britain had mentioned
any secret territorial agreements
when they visited the United States
just after the United States went to
war. He did no consider the agree
ment binding on the United States.
Secretary Lansing said it was he
who suggested the reaffir1nation of
the open door policy in China.
Discussing the Paris negotiations,
Secretary Lansing said the Ameri-
can delegation did not consider it.
self bound by secret treaties.
Senator Pomerene, democrat,
Ohio, asked if China had any knowl-
edge of the negotiations leading up
to the Lansing-Ishii agreement.
Not until it was negotiated" Mr..
Lansing replied.
Senator Pomerene asked when
China noted exceptions to the agree
ment and Mr.. Lansing said he never
understood China had taken excep-
tlons, but later had made declara-
ton"
Mr.. Lansing added that he did not
regard the Lansing -Ishii agreement
as absolutely binding" upon the
United States, but rather as an
agreement similar to the Root-Ta-
kahira and other understandings for
action.
Explains in Detail
Explaining in detail the negotia.
tions between himself and Viscount
lshli in consummation of their agree
ment, Secretary Lansing said:
Il suggested that it would be we'll
tor the two governments to reaf-
firm the open door policy in China
on account of the reports in circu-
lation that Japan was intending to
take advantage of conditions grow
ing out of the war to extend her
Sphere of influence in China. Wis.,
CONTINUED on Page Two. Column seven.)