South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-05-13
MAY 13. 1919.
SENATE PUBLICITY ON TREATY AND
LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

FOR once we believe Boise Penrose, senator from
FennsyIvania. to be right. not in his Interior motives
perhaps but because II might as well be done that
way. and perhaps better. than otherwise. He has de
clared for open debate when the League of Nations
and peace treaty come up in the senate. II the debate
on both sides Is given TO the pubIic-if the press
associations. all three. the Associated Press. the
United Press. and international News service. will
eschew favoritism. and give the people what those
favoring the peace treaty. the League OF Nations.
etc, have 10 say. the same as they do those oppos-
ing 1.-THE proposal deserves. and no doubt will
get the hearty support of the American public.
Heretofore international treaties have always been
discussed by the senate in executive session" Such
action does not constitute secret diplomacy" in the
sense generally conveyed by that phrase. Secret
diplomacy consists of agreements made by the heads
Of governments without the knowledge of the people
or the peoples representatives. The senators from
every state have always passed on American treaties
and known all about them. and through them any
one concerned might learn the facts. even though
they were not given out for publication.
That method was pretty satisfactory. but the ma
ton has outgrown it, The people have taken moro
government interest into their own hands. There has
been great dissatisfaction throughout the peace con-
ference session. for instance, because its proceedings
have been conducted with so much secrecy. The
American people wanted full publicity about all pub
lie matters, we were told, and they want II especially
with regard to this epoch-making treaty which re-
organizes Europe and proposes American member
ship in an international federation. However. they
should be assured OF the truth; not him-ham.
The terms OF the treaty and the league c%onstitu-
ton are published. so that anyone may read them.
But that is not enough. There should be full and free
discussion, for the illumination Of the public. But
the public should be nIumined on all sides. open
debates in the senate would be highly instructive
and helpful. II there remains in that body any of
the ability that has characterized it in the past
and the press associations will but be honest with
the public.
But aye. there's the rub 1t explains much or the
secrecy that has taken place i'm France. The press
associations were inclined. even with what they could
get. to give only that which tended to embarrass
the peace commissioners. Tia which they were
working for. and developments in that direction.
We're considered unimportant Add to this the rank,
determined misrepresentation and misinterpretation.
put upon so many things. by special newspaper cor
respondents sent over there for the purpose. and
YOU can readily understand why Pres't Wilson was
unable alone to keep the publicity lad" off.
open discussion. and "a fair. impartial open re-
port Of the senate debate. will be educational and
beneficial. and II sen. Penrose will but guarantee
such fairness and impartiality. the whole country
will be with him.