Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-01-17
Censorship Rule Held In
Allegiance on Request of
President Wilson.
CORRESPONDENTS TO
FORMULATE PLANS
Asked to Submit Suggestions For
Handling Reports Of Peace Confer
enee-eritish Correspondents Ask
That One British Correspondent Be
Permitted to Attend All Meetings
Problem Consumes Much Time.
TBv the Associated Press.1

} Paris, Jan. 16.-At the instance OF
President Wilson the supreme inter-
allied council decided today to hold In
allowance the proposed rule for virtual
secrecy regarding it's deliberations, be-
yound information given in official
statements.
It was also decided to request repre-
sentatives of the British, American
and Italian press to present some plan
for reporting the meeting.
It was said in American circles here
today that the stir caused by yester-
DAYS action was not at all unwelcome
to the British and American officials,
who were willing to work for a broader
rule which would open the proceedings
to public view.
British correspondents adopted reso-
lkions asking that one British repre-
sentative be admitted to sittngs OF
the congress. American correspondents
also adopted resolutions declaring they
would be set aside with nothing less
than free access to all deliberations.
Press COMMITTEES Named.
These resolutions were brought be-
fore a meeting at which were present
representatives of the press from all
til nations! associated ins the war
against Germany. A committee was
appointed to report plan of report
ing the deliberations which will he
presented to the peace delegates to-
morrow. The proposition to make de-
tails of the meeting Of correspondents
secret was rejected
The question of making public the
proceedings Of the peace congress con-
tinues to be a subject of discussion by
French press. The Temps remarked
tonight:
ut was said last night that the cen
sor would henceforth watch with spec
ial attention what is written regard
ing the congress and would cut out
everything that goes beyond the Off
cial statements. In fact, yesterdays
decision (the decision OF the peace
delegates as to secrecy Is perhaps
neither absolute nor final. 1t seems.
indeed, that the question became more
embarrassing when IT was considered
that 1t would necessarily apply to the
British and American press the same
rules as are laid down for Frenc,.
papers,
This comment brought reminder m
American official circles that before
President Wilson'S departure for Eu-
rope it was announced officially at
Washington that at the presidents
personal request both the British and
French governments had raised all
censorship restrictions on news dis
patches to America concerning the
peace congress.
War Council Debates.
Virtually all this mornings session
of the supreme council was taken up
by a discussion Of whether the peace
conference will be open or closed.
Afterward Mr.. Wilson worked in his
study and late in the day went for q
drive. He went to the Champs Elysee
theater, with American officials to-
night and enjoyed a production an
titled Annex Revue 1918" given by
1.-THE Argonne Players" most Of whom
were soldiers with historic talent.
Russian Question Uppsrmost.
The question OF Russia continues tn
be one Of the most important before
the supreme council Of the peace con :
ference. The problem at present prin-
oipally concerns how and when she
shall be presented befors the con-
ference, for opiron in conference
circles is that Russia must be rep
resented. The pooling OF the informa-
tion in possession Of the various
powers is expected to lead to the
clearing up Of the situation to some
extent,
The position Of the council regard
Ing publicity is considered as likely to
be modified and 1t was believed with
the assembling of the council today
that the press would be admitted Sat
urday to hear President Poincare S
speech before the full assemblage. In
such case. however, the newspaper
men would withdraw when the real
business before the conference was
taken up.
The separate representation given
the British colonies in the peace con-
ference have unfavorably impressed
the French colonial world The
Havas Agency has issued a note
pointing out that reason OF the inter
changeability Of the delegates, the
French government can. when neces-
sary, call in specially qualified pleni-
potentiaries and that thus the differ
ent lcolonial problems will be discussed
with all the necessary safeguards.
Borah Protests Against Sserscy,
washington. Jan. 17.-Senator Bor-
a., OF Idaho, addressed the senate to+
Il v Y 4 E. \