The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1919-03-07

pTeseHteu 10 Inc Iettce coultIcHCc was
said to have been quite general and
the president was questioned closely,
especially by Senator Brandegee of
Connecticut.
Not Bound to Secrecy.
The president, after making an open
Ing explanatory statement, answered
all questions freely and specifically
TO discuss the conference and all Its
Men May Be Trained.
right to the league to consider acts
threatening world peace, President
Wilson said that the clause was in.
definite and would be made more clear
by writing in a safeguard which would
require that every recommendation
by the council should be unanimous.
One question on which much time
was spent was whether nation once
in the league could withdraw, raised by
Senator Brandegee. The president
was said to have held that any country
could withdraw, but Senator Brande-
gee contended this would be impos.
sible under the constitution as now
drafted
Chairman Hitchcock of the senate
committee said the president held that
decisions of the leagues executive
cOuncil on ~ armament would NOT -
binding until specifically approved
by each signatory nation, and that
consequently the American congress
would have the opportunity to pass on
the apportionment of armament for
every nation concerned. The presi-
dent said this section had been miscon.
strued.
1t was also said that the president
informed the senators and representa-
times that the disarmament provisions
would not interfere with the military
training of men, but that it was evil
dent that a trained body of men would
not be danger to the world peace IL
their armament supplies we're kept in
check.
In consideration that some sover-
eighty must be surrendered by men,
bership in the league. the president
declared 1t was Uncomfortable that
there could be any concert of action
by nations to eliminate war and pro-
tect the weak unless each nation was
willing to give up something.
Denying that the league meant mr..
surpation of the powers of congress
TO declare war, the president said the
league merely was a promise by the
treaty making power that its congress
would do all in its power to carry ont
the agreement. a situation which pre-
vailed In many present treaties.
The president was said to have stat.
ed That it was necessary that the Unit
ed States stand to the support of the
czechc-Sloyaks. thet Jugo- Slavs. po.
land and other weak and struggling
peoples made free as the result of the
great war.
League Rests on Friendship.
Iha strength of the league would
rest on the friendship of America.
''rent Britain, France. Italy and japan.
the president said, and he expressed
the opinion that serious trouble he
tween the five nations was "unthink.
ABLE Should one fthese withdraw
rom the league or in any way fai, to
support it. impotence of the lencue
might result.
The president was said To have tola
me senators and representatives thar
me league constitution adopted was
proposed by Great Britain. but WAS NOT
ne one drawn by General Smutz. of
he British articles on the learue pro.
poSal Drafts presented by the Unit.
I'd States, France and Italy were re-
ieeted.
The president was said to have
gwen no indication as to his opinion
regarding when the peace treaty eop,a
'e concluded. nor did he discuss his
'sanS Tor the return trip To France
'ther than to reiterate that he wonla
cave Washington immediately af,ar
congress adjourned March l.
OaNIiHhf I .Nx 4