Mr. Root appeared before the committee at his own sugges
tion. Chairman Lodge read a telegram from Jacob" Schiff say
ing he knew "absolutely nothing directly or indirectly," re
garding the treaty, then called Mr.. Root to the chair..
"I have a copy of that so-called treaty, have had it for
several weeks," Mr. Root said. "It was sent to me by H. P.
Davison. I stand upon my right to have it. I assert the entire
propriety of his giving it to me. He had it because of his legi
timate, interests in the Red Cross, involved in the treaty,"
Mr. Root said he understood Mr. Davison had the copy in
Paris in connection with Red Cross affairs and brought it away
with him," there being at that time no injunction against bring
ing copies to the United States."
Mr. Root remarked that the German government had made
the treaty public in detail, adding:
"It thereupon became public property . There are two par
ties to the negotiations. Either party has the right to make ii
public. No longer can any diplomatic secrecy attach. The
German government having the full right to make public this
paper made it public and it is public."
"I should be inclined to resent any
suggestion from anybodj' that I am
not entitled to it and to use it as I
see fit, which I propose to do.
