Evening star., 1919-08-19

sired.
In conference at the White
House today unprecedented in
American history President
Wilson discussed the peace
treaty with the Senate foreign
relations. committee, answered
questions put BY senators and
gave OUT q stenographic tran
script of.the proceedings to the
public.
Some of the inside details of
the peace conference, how the
league of nations covenant was
drawn and other historic hap
penings were handed out YER
batim for the world to read, in
contrast. to the time-honored
procedure of secrecy.
Nothing approaching the conference
in that respect is recalled since
George Washington went to the Sem
ate to discuss troubles with the In
Gfans.
Wants World on Peace Basis.
the treaty that the world may be
turned wholly back to a peace basis,
the President said he saw no reason
able objection to the Senate express
ing its Interpretation of the league
of nations covenant so long as these in
20 n
part Of the act Of ratification.
The President took up in detail the
principal objections which have been
urged against the covenant of the
league of nations and set out to ana
lyze them, at the same time present.
ing his view and the views Of the
peace congress OF their effect.
The President intimated that the
Seague of nations would prevent ia
pan from assuming any complete
bovereignty over Shantung.
q. s. Decides as to Force.
The President said the United States
would have Complete freedom Of
choice as to the application Of
force" in carrying out Article x Of
the league covenant.
President Wilson admitted that un-
der Article x. the United States would
be under absolutely impelling moral
obligation" to repel by force of arms
attempted breach of the article.
Senator Lodge. chairman of the
committee. said the committee had no
thought Of entering upon arguments
as to the interpretations. but desired
information on certain points which
seemed not clear. He asked about
the status of the treaties with Aus
fria, Hungary, Bulgaria and Poland.
The President replied that these
treaties were awaiting action by the
Senate upon the German treaty,
which. he said, was a model for the
Tells Of League Draft.
united IN Paris. the President said.
had been built up first from a plan
drawn by a British committee, headed
by q Mr.. Phillimore, and later includ-
ing ideas from plan drawn by Gen.
Smuts. From these and other dis
cussions, coupled with the Presidents 8
own ideas. the league plan was drawn.
That is the full story of how the
plan sent to the committee was
drawn up the President stated.
His own private redraft of the Phil
limore plan. the President said, was
mot submitted to the American peace
mission.
Replying to Senator Fall, who suR-
gested that as Germany was not a
member OF the league of nations
amendments to the league covenant
would not be submitted to her. and
she would not have to give her con-
sent, the President said:
II will admit that that point had
not occurred to me. No, she would
pot."
Senator Shields Absent.
Every member of the committee was
present but Senator Shields of Ten
Hessee, who has been ill. Senator
Fall, republican, New Mexico and
Senator Borah. republican. Idaho, did
mot attend the White House confer
ence last March. when the President
discussed the league of nations with
the Senate and House committees.
The President arranged to serve
lunch to the guests after the confer
ence was over.
The committee had brought with ii
come of the men who for years have
reported House and Senate proceed
sngs. but the arrangement by which
newspapers would have to pay for the
committee transcript caused White
Continued On Second Page.)