El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-03-12


IITAsHINGTON, D. c., March r.
w This is a story OF the part George
Creel played at the peace conference
or rather the part he didn't play.
When it is considered that congress
gave vent TO several Indignant
speeches in December on the mere
mention Of 1Ir. CreeTs prospective de-
parture for Europe. and a great hull
labaloo was raised about 'coloring"
tie news, there is perhaps some in
terest in what the head Of The COM
mittee on public information really
aid do with respect to the peace con-
ference.
First Of all, IT should not be mag
med that the correspondents who had
the impression that an official go
between or interpreter was to stand
between them and the American dele
1atOn objected to Air. Creel person
ally They didn't want Mr. Creel or
anybody else TO act as barrier be-
tween them and the principals who
really were speaking or acting on be-
HaG OF the American people in the
formal or informal negotiations.
There is nothing 20 show thar presi-
dent Wilson intended 20 put George
Creel or any one else in that position,
nor was there any sign on board the
George Washington. where Mr.. CreeI
and the president hObnObbed for days
at a time, that the much criticised
chief Of the committee on public in
formation was in disfavOr at court.
NeTertheless- a curious thing hap
pened on the arrival Of Mr.. Creel and
The presidential party in Paris
For several days the presidents Of
flee was not organized. He lacked a
private secretary. George Creel. It
was generally whispered was q can
didate for the job. Anyway, the
president finally decided that Gilbert
close. his confidential stenOgrapher,
who used 20 be his personal secre-
fary when AR Wilson was at Prince
ton could handle the business-and
he did so very wei. indeed. From
that dav on. very little was seen or
heard OF George CreeL
No Facilities for Press.
The correspondents who had come
from America TO write about the
peace conference found no facilities
Tor getting In touch with the AI1Cri-
can mission. nor was there any press
room conveniently located through
which il could be assured that off
cial announcements would reach all
concerned.
The correspondents. after much
difficulty. got the attention OF the
American mission and established
such headquarters. Also, Col House.
secretary lansing. Gen Bliss and
Henry White agreed 10 meet the cor
respondents every morning at II
o'clock and submit 70 a quiz
At first the American delegates
talked frankly and freely and fin
large part in confidence. so as 10
Guide the correspondents but the
large number Of the latter, containing
many men personally unknown TO our !
officials and whose discretion didn't ]
seem always TO be Of the best. I
brought about a decided reticence- So /
i soon resolved itself into a case OF I
The personal equation for the indi- j
Fidusi correspondent which is what I
usually happens whenever IL is sought 1
70 deal with large mum bers OF news
paper men
Little Enlightenment.
When the mandatory question was
before the supreme peace council I
digest Of the several plans for CO
lonial administration was given and 4
some historical data on the subject 4
that were very instructive. But as 4
for any propaganda or cOlOrinE Of Z
The news, the American delegation 4
does practically nothing Of that sort. 4
And the criticism one most hears IS 4
that the correspondents are not ad- /
Tised Of the position taken by the ]
= american delegates in the confer 4
ences except rs they hear if through ]
British, French or italian sources.
Col House has endeavored TO be I
helpful in this respect. but he rs vel i
as the other principals in the mis-
sion. would be doing nothing else II ]
they received all the correspondents I
accredited 10 the peace mission
CreeI Clear Ont Of II.
George Creel hasn't appeared IN the !
situation al all The Paris office Of /
the committee on public information.
established during the war, has been (
useful. The value Of this cannot be +
as Few European news
papers print editorial press comment I
at any length. and il would take I
weeks 70 gather the opinion Of the /
newspapers OF all shades OF politics,
whereas that office has a cOmpre-
hensive summary by telegraph and j
cable and wireless every morning
George CreeFs organization for this !
purpose IS very good. and he him
self gave correspondents 10 under
stand that the object Of his trip 10 !
Europe was merely 10 nquidate some /
OF these European bureaus and TO I
strengthen others for the assistance I
OF the American mission So he 4
promptly departed from Paris after
il became apparent that he wouldn't !