The Topeka state journal., 1916-12-29
Declare Wilson Already Is Con-
ducting That Kind.
Even Senate Committee Kept
i'm Ignorance of Plans.
US, TO BECOME MESSENGER?
UnbridIed U-BOat Warfare II
Peace Fails, Sure.
Some Outspoken, Peace Moves
Have Been Bungled.

Washington. Dec. 29.-Three United
States senators today denounced the
recent handling of this country's in
ternational affairs as reverslon TO Sc
cret diplomacy. They declare dthat
not only have rec ent matters been
hedged about with secrecy as far as
the public is concerned, but that even
the senate foreign relations committee
has not been given opportunity to
know what is going on
The senators who thus voiced dis
approval of this governments methods
in handling the country's foreign al
fairs, are PoindeXter of Washington
state. Weeks of Massa chusetts and
Sutherland of Utah.
MY understanding is that the pres
ent administration has declared Itself
an ardent foe to secret diplomacy,
said Poindexter. I'm practice, how
ever, it has shown itself postmaster
in the art of mystery and concealment.
There are yelled rumOrs of secret
policies affecting the vital interests of
the country which the president VIII
commit to us without consulting u.s.
There is even a debate of public men
as to the ultimate extreme limits of
the constitutional powers of the presl-
dent to set aside the Monroe doctrine.
for instance:
ITO enter into a league of peace
or agree to do so; or to commit the
country to that policy without the ad-
vice and consent of the senate.
Great Moves Without Advice.
What is more important is that
these great movements are taken with
out the advice and consent of public
opinion which is supposed to be the
governing factor in a democracy such
as this. -r-s'
plomacy insofar as vital policies are
concerned should be done away with
forever"
Il am at a loss to account for the
secret moves being made by the ad-
ministration,' said Senator Weeks. 1T
places the people in an embarrassing
position After a step is taken the
people are compelled to support the
president, even tho they may have diff
ferent opinions concerning the mat
ter"
THE president formerly conferred
with the committee on foreign rela- =
tions on matters of this character
said Senator Sutherland. About
three years ago, when the Mexican n
situation was foremost in public inter-
est, he suddenly stopped these con-
ferences. He is not obliged to confer
with anyone, butg reater results could
be obtained by the old method, | am
sure"
Will Pass Terms Secretly.
Washington, Dec. EFF Germany
desires that the United States pass
along any secret peace terms for the
entente allies to consider at rouno
table session, this government will lend
itself to that work.
A high state department official
said this today. but qualified his re-
marks by emphasizing that the United
States would be acting merely a
messenger
official said, would be no impro-
priety."
Those officials who have talked with
the British ambassador, Sir Cecil
Spring-Rice. say the allies never Will
consent to what appears to be Ger
many's present chief objective, namely
the calling of a conference. before spe-
cific peace terms are publicly an
nounced
Negotiations Bunglcd?
Meantime there is talk among con-
gressmen that affairs have been bun
gled that secret diplomacy is being
tried. And this talk is not confined
to capitol hill.
An administration official today used
the word "bungle'' in describing his
view of the manner in which the state
department handled the publicity ar
rangements regarding the president
peace notes and the subsequent Lans-
ing retations-especially the
first, which he said was obviously
unpremeditated.'
Whether there be secret diplomacy
or not, there is frankly and adpittedly
the deepest kind of secrecy over de-
velopments at this stage. Both Secre-
| tary of State Lansing and President
Wilson have agreed between them
selves not to talk peace matters-at
least not the portions thereof that will
| be in any way embarrassing to them
from an administration standpoint
NrHa nrN nGNnr H1rHs