Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-01-16
Supreme Council Reconvcnes.

Paris. Jan. 16.-The supreme coun-
Gil of the five greater powers resumed
its session at 1890 o'clock today.
There were present for France. Pre-
mier Clemenceau and Foreign Minis
ter Pichon; for the United States.
State Lansing: for Great Britain, Pre-
mier Lloyd George and Foreign Sec
retary Balfour; for Italy. Foreign
Minister Sonnino and for Japan. Wis
count Chinda and Baron Matsui.
Vittorio Orlando, the Italian pre-
detained in Rome.
President Wilson arrived at the
meeting place accompanied by Mrs.
Wilson and her secretary. Miss BEN
ham.
The impression prevailed today that
following the protests that have arisen
against the decision Of the council re-
stricting all the news of its sessions
to formal communiques, some expla-
nation or statement on the subject
might appear in tonight's COM
munique to the effect that the restric-
ton will apply only to the actual pro-
ceedings of the current day and not
to any comment by the delegates on
the general questions before the coun-
Gil.
This impression cannot be Officially
confirmed, but it finds a place among
the reports in circulation today.
Even WILSON Must be- sileuk
Paris, Wednesday, Jan. 15.-Oh0
the delegates know anything about
the discussion which preceded today's
decision to keep proceedings Of the
peace congress secret and to limit in
! formation divulged to official state
ments
This decision will preclude the
6n1a "
himself, from discussing the formal
announcements that are issued. It will
likewise stop the practice Of Premier
Lloyd George of Great Britain dis
cussing affairs with British corre-
spondents for the purpose of guiding
England.
them in forming public opinion in
1t has been believed here by persons
in touch with President Wilson that
he would contend for open sessions as
far as possible. That he still feels the
same way is the opinion generally ex-
pressed here tonight.
Curiously enough the question
whether deliberations were to be
open or secret had reached a stage
before today's decision where some
authoritative statement on the sub
ject was sought Just before today's
meeting Secretary Of State Robert
Lansing authorized the following as
his view:
THE American policy is that fullest
publicity consistent with the rapid
and satisfactory discharge Of impor-
tant business which must come be-
fore the peace congress should be ac-
corded. 1t is possible that the session
should be open when business is ac-
corded.
TT is possible that tho session
should be open when business is ad-
vanced to a point where it can be re-
garded as ready for final action. It
may be, however, that in the earlier
stage when subjects are being dis
cussed between groups or in commit
with purpose of reachinef agree
ments on controversial phasea, it
would be inadvisable to conduct these
discussions openly. There might never
be an agreement otherwise.
THAT would not be secret diplo-
macy in any sense. however. for no
agreement so arranged could be effec-
tive until approved by all the dele
gates in open session"
The complaints which the British
correspondents have made to Mr..
Lloyd George and which the Ameri-
concede that it may be Incompatible
with public interest to disclose cer-
tain phases Of controversial questions.
while they are being discussed, but
protest against the "gentleman's
agreement" which forbids any one Of
the delegates from giving Information
whatever outside of the official state
ments on which public opinion may
be formed and guided.
Official circles In Paris are not dis
cussing peace nor terms tonight. At
tention is occupied with the question
whether there will be reconsidera-
ton of the action OF today.
~ . p :.