The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-06-05
Senator Hitchcock Makes Heat
ed Charges Against G.. O. p.
Declares Lodges and B0rah's
Statements "MOnstrOuS.o
DEMANDS AN INVESTIGATION
Lodge Charges Polk Said That
Gotham Had Treaty Copy.
johnson Insists Upon Immedis
ate Publication of Pact.

Washington, June 5.-Administra-
ton officials stated today President
Wilson had been fully informed of the
charges made by Senators Lodge and
Borah. that the full text of the peace
treaty was in the hands of American
business men in New York City. They
declared they were anxious that the
resolution introduced by Senator
Hitchcock asking an inquiry into how
the treaty reached the United States
and who has it be pressed to the limit.
Hitchcock today charged Borah and
Lodge with IAN attack of the most
scandalous character on President
Wilson," 1t is of the most "tremen-
dous urgency" he saiu, that the senate
investigate charges that the peace
| treaty is in the hands of New York
business interests.
| Attacks Lodge and Borah.
Hitchcock. calling up his resolution
in the senate for an investigation. an
| grily attacked Lodge and Borah be-
/ cause of their statements to the sem
! ate that the treaty text, denied to the
senate, is in possession of New York
/ bankers.
! These senators declare in effect"
! said Hitchcock, that the president
| withholds the treaty from the senate
/ and insinuate that he permits copies
to go to business interests. These in
! terests, they say, have particular in
! terest in the treaty. This is an attack
! on the president of the most scandal
lous character. 1t is a new chapter
! in the attack the treaty. 1t is
| done for the purpose of attacking the
i treaty.
| 1T conveys to the public mind the
| impression that a secret combination
| exists between the American peace
/ delegation and certain financial in
terests by which the latter are given
advance information-a monstrous
f, charge"
Lodge demonstrates.
4 Lodge interrupted, saying:
! Il wish you wouldn't say they I
did not say anything about business
interests having the treaty"
| IF Senator Lodge had a copy OF
the treaty. as he said, he had stolen
goods in his hands-goods probably
obtained thru bribery. The senate
| and the country want to know and
must find out how these New York
interests got this treaty" Hitchcock
| continued.
Lodge, replying, said he would be
| delighted to have the investigation"
since the resolution goes to his COM
mittee. He said: Senator Borah and
1 shall investigate each other with
! great pleasure"
| "All that the committee can find
out from me-" Lodge continued, els
| that 1 was shown the treaty by a
! friend of mine How he got II / don't
know, but his character is such that
I know it did not come into his hands
corruptly.
Has 200 Folio Pages.
1.-The text of the treaty has 200 folio
pages" continued Lodge. "At the end
of il is a long addendum, which ap-
parently has nothing to do with peace
with Germany. 1t is as long as the
:, league of nations covenant and sets
up a perma nent and very elaborate
organization for the internatioDaliza-
tion of labor--a most Interesting pro-
vision.
II was afterwards told by another
gentleman who hes no connection
whatever with the financial interests
that he had a copy of the treaty
which he would allow me to take for
examination at length. 1 told him L
should prefer not to. as any copy of
the treaty which came into my pos
session 1 should feel obliged to make
public.
"Invcstigatc State Department
'I saw nobody when 1 was in New
York who was connected with the
financial interests. 1 did not go with
in two or three miles of Wall street.
But ii was stated by the state depart
ment when il was explaining what
said and telling what / saw, that I'd
seen parts of the treaty which were
in the hands of financial interests. I
suggest, if you want to investigate.
you investigate your own state depart-
; ment."
Hitchcock demanded who in the
state department made that statement.
Frank Polk" said Lodge.
ITO whom ?'' insisted Hitchcock.
ITO the press" replied Lodge, "and
1 know of M own knowledge that he
did make it."
Il Hitchcock at once left the chamber
. to phone Polk.
Lodge, continuing said:
Up TO President, He Says.
That's all I can tell any commit
tee I'll be glad to summon any one
you can suggest. I'd like to know the
whole of the matter. I'd even be glad
to have the peace delegates heard IL
1 could get in touch with them"
Lodge stated the president could
stop all the wrangling in the senate
by stating one reason why the treaty
, should not be made public.
Washington. June 5.-Senatorial
discuss on of the treaty leak" con-
tinued today. Senator Hiram john