The sun., 1919-08-20

war upon our adVlcc-tne auN1ce OF the
United States?
China's Entrance into War.
advised her to enter and she soon after
did. Whether she had sought our ad-
vice. and whether that was the per-
suasive advice or not, l do not know.
Senator Johnson-Do you recall Mr..
President, that preceding that advice
we had asked China, as one of the neu-
trail nations, to sever diplomatic rela-
lions with Germany?
The Observation-Disclosures we had asked
her?
Senator Johnson--Yes, sir.
The PRESIDENT do not recall, Sen.
ator. / am sure Mr.. Lansing can tell
though from the records of the depart
ment.
senator Johnson-Do you know, Mr.
President. whether or not our Govern
ment stated to China that IL China
would enter the war we would protect
her interests at the Peace Conference?
The President-We made no promises.
Senator Johnson-No representations
Of that sort?
The President-No; she knew that we
would do as well as we could. She had
every reason to know that.
Senator Johnson-Pardon me a fur
ther question you did make the attempt
to do 1t too. did you not?
The President-Oh, indeed did, very
seriously.
Senator Johnson---And the decision
ultimately reached at the Peace Confer
ence was a disappointment to you?
The President-Yes. sir; 1 may frank
ly say that it was.
Senator Johnson--You would have
preferred, as 1 think most of us would,
that there had been a. different conclu-
sion of the Shantung provision, or the
Shantung difficulty or controversy. at
the Paris Peace Conference7
The President-Yes frankly init
mated that.
Senator iJosnnson-Did 1t require the
unanimous consent Of the members of
the Peace Conference 10 reach a de-
cision like the Shantung decision?
The PresidentSEvery decision, yes,
sir.
Senator Johnaon-Do you recall, Mr..
President, prior to the decision on the
territorial question of Shantung, or of
German rights In Shantuns, the racial
equality question coming before THE
Peace Conference?
The PRESIDENT remember at one of
the sessions, called plenary sessions, a
resolution regarding that matter was
introduced by the Japanese representa-
tives, but rather as an expression of
opinion, or hope, and 1t was not pressed
for action.
Senator Johnson-Mr President. the
press at that time stated that it had
gone to a vote, and l trust some one
will correct me II 1 am in error. and
that the vote was IL to 6 on the propo
sition The dispatches at that time were
to that effect.
The President was msled Senator
You are referring to the commission on
a League of Nations?
Senator Johnson-Yes.
Wilson Silent on Shantung,
The rresident-There was a vote there
There never was a vote on any subject
In the peace conference.
Senator Johnson COMPOUNDED the
two.
The President-Yes.
Senator Johnson-May l ask, IL per-
missible how the representatives of the
United States voted upon that particular
proposition?
The President-Senator, ! think 1t is
very natural you should ask that I
am not sure that am at liberty to an
swer, because that touches the intimacy
of great many controversies that &C.
Cured In that conference and / think II
Is best. in the interest of International
good understanding, that l should not
answer.
Senator Johnson-Do you know, Mr.
President, whether or not the American
Commission at Paris urged that a
definite sum of reparation be fixed in the
treaty?
The President-It did.
Senator Johnson-win you state. II
appropriate, why your view differed from
theirs?
The President-No, Senator, I cannot
and yet 7 dislike TO decline because Il
may create misapprehension on your
part. Let me see II I can explain 1t,
without indiscretion: I would be very
glad, gentlemen, to tell you all about it
II you will leave it out of the notes.
May / do that?-because I do not wish
to leave any wrong impression on your
minds. The explanation is perfectly
simple.
(The subject subsequently was drop
ped.)
Senator Johnson-May I ask one or
two more questions concerning Shan
tung, which omitted or forgot?
The President-Certainly, Senator.
Senator Johnson-First: Did japan
! decline to sign the award as made or
proy:ded in the peace treaty?
The President-Her representatives
| informed US. Senator. that they were in
| structed not to sign in that event (the
| refusal to award Shantung to Japan)
Senator Johnson-Was the decision
| reached, II you will pardon the per-
fectly blunt question, because Japan
, declined to sign unless that decision was
; reached in that way?
! The President-No. do not think it
| would be true to say Yes" to that
! question. 1t was reached because we
! thought 1t was the best that could be
! got, in view of the definite engagements
! OF Great Britain and France. and the
necessity OF a unanimous decision, which
| we held to be necessary in every case
we have decided.
Senator Johnson-Great Britain and
France adhered to their original engage
ments, did they not?
The President-They said that they
| did not feel at liberty to disregard them.
Best of Poor Bargain.
| Senator Johnson--Do you mind stat
| ing. or would you prefer not, what 1T
was that caused you ultimately to ac-
| coed to the decision that was demanded
| by Japan?
The President-Only the conclusion
| that | thought that II was the best that
could be got under the circumstances.
| Senator Brandegee-MayI interpolate
there without disturbing you. Senator
Johnson?