The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-08
Herbert Gibbons Says H
Quoted Wilson's Promise.
Declares Aid Was Promised Il
Rumania by President.
PRODUCE THE NOTES. REED
Public Entitled to Know Facts
Senator Insists.
Washington Still Says Records
Are in Paris File.

st. Louis. Oct. s.-Herbert Adams
Gibbons. from whose article in a
magazine last May was taken Presi-
dent Wilson's purported pledge of
American aid to Rumania, today wired
local newspaper that he quoted Will
sons exact words in that article and
that ne was in possession of a copy OF
the stenographic report of the session
OF the peace conference at which the
pledge was made.
Gibbons was a member of the presi-
dents publicity bureau at Versailles
and is supposed to have been present
when Wilson addressed his remarks to
Premier Bratiano of Rumania.
While Gibbons has backed up Sena-
tor Spencer in his quotation of the
presidents remarks. this is the first
time during the controversy that the
author has stated unequivocally that
he quoted Wilson's exact words" a
quotation the president has termed
absolutely and unqualifiedly false"
In the absence of Senator, Spencer,
who is still campaigning in Missouri.
it was said at his office that there was
little to add to the controversy. 1t is
known, however, that Senator Spen-
Ger has taken steps to obtain a copy
of the stenographic reports of the
eighth plenary session of the peace
conference in order to substantiate his
charge of the presidents pledge and to
comply with Tumulty's demand that
he produce proof of his charge.
On File in Paris.
Washington, Oct. S.-The original
official report Of the peace conference
proceedings is on file in Paris and
there is no copy in Washington ar
chives. il was said at the state depart
meut today in connection with the
controversy between President Wilson
and Senator Reed and Senator Spen-
Ger of Missouri.
State department officials said. how
ever, that the quotation of the alleged
promise of American military aid to-
Serbs and Rumanians which Spencer
and Reed charged the president made
is not correct one.
Tho report at Paris is not ver-
batim one but only an official sum
mary. 1t Is planned to distribute
copies to treaty signatories but none
has come here. Department officials
said it is not within their province to
call for certain parts of the proceed
ings when this country is not yet a
party to the treaty of Versailles.
The White House today refused
further comment in the controversy.
produce Those Notcsi"
AanSdS SlIys Mo- OCl o-oSldtOA
James A. Reed. taking cognizance of
Secretary Tumulty's statement that
Senator Spencer "is invited to produce
official records of the peace confer
ence to prove his charges" that the
president pledged American arms for
protection of Rumania and Serbia in
case they are again attacked. believes
there is mo- doubt that the White
House is in possession of the notes"
Mr.. Tumulty well knows the origi-
nal notes are not in possession of the
public and that the secrecy attending
the peace conference was directly ad
vised by our government" Reed said
Il have no doubt that the White
House is in possession of the notes.
Why have they not been produced?
1T is absurd for those who have
documents and who have withheld
them from the public to demand they
be produced by those to whom they
have been denied"