Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-08-12
LEAGUE DECLARED
COMPOSITE IDEA
David Hunter Miller, Legal
Adviser to Commission at
Versailles, Testifies.

The plan for a league of nations
used as a basis Of discussion at YER
sailles was not any of the drafts SUBJ
mitted by the United States. Great
Britain, France or Italy. but was a
combination of all of them. the Senate
foreign relations committee was told
today by David Hunter Miller, legal
adviser to the league OF nations COM
mission at Versailles.
References to British Plan.
Chairman Lodge said President Wilson
had told the committee at the White
House in March that the British plan.
drawn by Gen. Smutz. was used as
basis Of consideration. but the witness
protested that such was not his recol-
lection. The plan taken as a basis of
some extent on the other plans, but 1t
was not the SHUTS PLAN"
The witness said he had submitted
memoranda on the American plan, but
it was printed in the form transmit
ted to the committee yesterday by
President Wilson.
Asks Source Of Plan.
where did the plan come from ?"
asked Senator Lodge.
II suppose it came from the Presi-
dent"
What became of it -
Il think it was submitted to tire
commission on the league of nations.
didn't personally have anything to
do with it,"
Partner Of Col. Houses Son-in-Law.
Questioned by Senator Brandegee.
republican. Connecticut. Mr.. Miller
said he was a law partner of Gordon
Auchincloss-son-in-law of Col: e. M.
House. one OF the American delegates
to the peace conference. Did you
have any experience in international
affairs in drafting treaties?" asked
Sentor Brandegee.
Not prior to my appointment as q
special assistant in the State Depart
ment shortly after the United States
entered the war" Mr.. Miller said he
never had heard of any plan for a
league drafted by New York lawyers
and taken to Paris by the President.
Senator Brandegee asked las Of
what date" the territorial integrity
mentioned under article 10 of the COW
enant was to be guaranteed.
81 understand the boundaries and
territorial integrity Of nations are to
be- guaranteed primarily as they ex-
listed at the signing of the treaty. and
mined under the treaty by plebiscite.
for instance"
Thinks Meeting Was Public.
Asked about the meeting of the
peace conference at which the first
completed draft of the covenant was
approved on the eve of President Will
sons departure for the United States
thought the meeting was open to the
public and lasted all afternoon. Some
set speeches were made.
was there anybody asking any one
else what certain provisions of the
Il think the speeches were all pre-
pared"
Feels Force Behind League.
Senator Harding, republican, Ohio.
questioned the witness a. to what
would ensue under the covenant IL
the league made a decision affecting
American territory contrary to the
wishes of the American government
authority to enforce the leagues de-
cision unless the United States broke
it's covenants and went to war over
the question.
to back up its decisions?" persisted
Mr.. Harding.
"Public opinion and moral force"
Asked who drew up the composite
draft of the covenant used as a basis
of discussions at Versailles, the wit
ness said:
Mr. Huvst and myself"
Silent Regarding Mr.. Huvst.
He was not asked and did not ex-
plain what position Mr.. Huvst held.
He said he presumed q copy of the
composite draft was in the State De-
partment and promised to try to get
it for the committee.