New-York tribune., 1918-11-21
Meeting the Mountain


brought about is the peace of the world.
1t involves making series OF cove
nants. which, according to Mr.. Wilson'S
formula. shall be "Open covenants of
peace, openly arrived at.
The time has come to pass
Mr.. Wilson himself will go to take
charge Of the negotiations.
Mr.. Creel will take charge Of the news.
Mr.. Bureson will have control of the
means Of communication.
These august land complicated prep
aratons leave us dazed and uneasy, the
more so as they take place unexpectedly,
with the popular mind still unaware of
the necessities, if any, which evoke them.
The explanations offered are inadequate
and disappointing.
Mr.. Wilson's resolve is not explained
at all. 1t is announced at the White
House, in brief news bulletin, saying:
"The President expects to sail for
France Immediately after the opening Of
the regular session of the Congress, for
the purpose of taking part in the discus
sion and settlement of the main features
Of the treaty of peace"
There will be American delegates or
plenipotentiaries, besides, such as other
countries send. Mr.. Wilson will be
neither delegate nor plenipotentiary He
will be President of the United States,
serving the principles of peace upon the
representatives of all nations. How long
ne will stay is uncertain. That probably
will be determined by the factor of human
receptivity. What he will say that could
not be openly communicated from Wash
ington, or automatically through Colonel
House, we cannot guess. What the out
come will be is open to speculation.
He may be elected head of League
Of Nations.
He may come back to us President of
he World.
That would be an unlimited honor to
the United States; yet people, so far as
they may, protest against his going.
They do so instinctively, though with the
utmost restraint.
Perhaps if people knew all of the rea-
sons they would be more reconciled to
the thought Of their President soiourn-
ing abroad. Perhaps, if it were possible
really for covenants Of peace to be openly
arrived at, we could be told the reasons
oeforehand; or, perhaps, if open diplo-
macy were in fact possible it would not
be necessary for Mr.. Wilson to 90 at
all, or for Mr.. Creel to manage the news
oI the peace conference, or for Mr..
6urieson to take charge of the cables.
In explanation of the governments do
cision at this time. to take possession OF
'he cable lines. Mr. Burleson saws that
"@e IneIe Deen a time
which called for such close control Of tn.
caoie system as to-day, and will con-
''nue during the period of readiustmcnt -
obviously, with Mr.. Wilson in France
aischarglng his duties as President of tho
oa''eo states and at the same time ex-
pounding the principles of peace to the
world, the strain upon the cable svste,o
"'h DC much increased above normal
Add Mr.. Creel with his staff. disscm;nat.
'ng the official news. and at tho COW.
e"h' ne largest and most distinguished
""oy o. american editors and Journalists
mat M ever assisted at the making OF
hisn'TJ all clamoring for the trans.
mission OF their ideas and thouyhts
ny cable, and you will see at once WIN,
Mr. Burleson means by the necessity fo,
"close control" of the cable svste,,
Fraorities VII have to be established
Limits will have to be imposed. Fedora
business naturally will come frat. officia
news win have to get its right Of way
he press associations will require {
very large allotment of capacity. Afte,
that, IF there is almost nothing left 70,
unofficial news, for unauthorized intcr
pretatiop o. FOR criticisp. Who can com
plaing Ii not the eapaeity Of the cable