Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-12-23
Secret pipIemacy's" Shadow

ut the peace conference. seem 10 have
been answered before they were Ut
tered by Senator Lodge. in effect that
whatever OF secret diplomacy
never had existed and never could ex-
ist in this country. But Senator
Lodge evidently fears secret under
standings and gontlemen's govern
mept agreements. for. in his address
to the L. s senate on Saturday, he
said
In the Pre- sent situation, which is
grave beyond compa rison. | think It
~ Of vast Importance that those con-
eernod ~ tho actual negotiations OF
the treaty should At least know the
views of the senate So far as the
postmaster general in control OF the
cables. and Mr.. Crcel IN control Of
the uous viii permit tho opinion cf
the Senate 10 be transmitted 20 Par
~ We cannot compel Information
hut No arc abundantly able 90 make
our opinion known not only 10 the
President but 80 the Allies who have
very clear and even acute idea Of
the power OF the Senate IN regard to
treaties"
Sorthciins ~ statement to The
Associated r-'s,s said.
Tho days ca secret concldv-. are
dead and gore 'landestine assem-
bues are the hsabingcrs OF intrigue.
suspicion and possible deception. II
would be iptolerablc that the fate OF
whole nations. great and small.
should be decided IN secret Shall the
dsstinies Of millions Of peoples in all
quarters OF the globe be left to the
tender mcrcio5 OF comparative
handful OF delegates. against whose
enactmcnts there Is no public appeal
Such would be mockery OF that prin-
ciple OF self determination OF free
nations which has been fought for
and won in this war. Labor. upon
which the great losses Of life during
tho war have mainly fallen. is alarm
ed az tho prospect OF great world
plans being carried out without their
knowledge"
Lord Northclihe is a London pub
with public sentiment He knows, as
do the publishers ~ this country. the
dangers Of an attempt TO put any
thing over" on the peoples of free
nations. Small things under cover
are sensed and exaggerated in the
public mind Wide open pariey and
frank taking ~ tho people into Dip
lomatic confidence Is far safer, saner
and moro just. Delegations. however
mighty. are only representatives. at
ter all II Is not their AFFAIR but thl:
~ ALL the peoples 81 ALL the ma
tions.
The press Of the leading nations of
tho world have become a branch OF
government. In this country we have
the executive. legislative. judicial and
public voice. The press is the voice
OF both tho government and people
and II any government fails 10 meet
IT'S Obligations In that line II immedi-
ately Grouses suspicion and distruat
IN the public mind. In local. state or
national affairs. the first approach to
legislation. enforcement of law or
forming or rovoking OF judicial de-
cisiuns. - made through the public
press.
In the two years just passed the
greater power OF the American peo-
pic Was expressed. eXcrted. driven
through. hy the public press. The
press. voiclns the people. forced the
government INTO tho war II hammer
81 departments into activity and out
~ vastcful u not careless pcrmiS-
e.uu ~ fraudulent methods. II re
fused ~ bc suppressed and hldnketod.
go rds the legislative body. II was
tho only force which the plternalistic
md "ltgarchc tendencies OF The
administrator feared Il reached cv-
'ly h,m, ~ the land with tellin5
appeal tor uppJrt uf the govern
men' . war ,udcsN ors. for contribu-
uons g. c,crv welfare and philan-
rhr"Ptc enterprise. for prompt re-
,pouso 90 every need OF great ma
llou Engaged IN u conflict for human
tcttorment. equality and justice. it
AIRED mcsaagcs OF hope and cheer in
tho darkest hours 10 the cherries
places where hope had tcd, It stood
solidlv for common sense. common
.iusc and common bravery.
And now the press Of America.
England and France viii stand sol.
Oily for open handling OF the worlds
,ffnirs both in diplomacy as we'll as
~ treaty. and. az Senator Lodge mas
20 clearly set forth. the world may
rs we'll understand at the outset that
no treaty IN which the United States
has part. can become binding with
out the United States Senate's coun-
sei and approval. The Presiden, coulI
go 10 Europe in defiance Of prece-
dent. tradition and public protest;
he could name peace delegates 10 sui.
himself without the advice or APPROX
~ q anybody. and he could ignore
tho United States Senate's treaty.
making rights and even courtesy so