Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-01-17
FREEDOM WAS
PROMISED TO
PRESS WRITER'S
Allied Newspaper Repre-
B sentatives Asked to Pre-
sent Plans.
7 CLEMENCEAU SEES
PUBLICITY MENACE
Nothing But Open Diplo-
matte Meetings to Salts
fy Americans.
(By Associated Press.)


instance of President Wilson the
/ supreme inter-Allied council decided
\ today to hold in allegiance the pro-
Il posed rule for virtual secrecy regard
/ ing it's deliberations, beyond informa-
(. ton given in official statements. 1t
was also decided to request represen-
/ tatives of the British, American and
4 Italian press to present some plan for
reporting the meeting.
1t 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
1 resolutions asking that one British
Y press representative be admitted to
sittings of the congress. American
n tions declaring they would be satis-
fed with nothing less than free access
h to all deliberations.
X: These resolutions were brought be-
i fore a meeting at which were present
+ representatives of the press from all
\ the nations associated in the war
,.~against Germany A committee was
/. appointed fo report plan of report
ing the deliberations which will be
pieseHleu W lAe peace Euele6dles ".
) morrow. The proposition to make de-
! tails Of the meeting of correspondents
II secret was rejected.
The question of making public the
4 proceedings of the peace congress
i continues to be a subject of discussion
u by the French press. The Temps re-
II marked tonight:
M ''Temps" Discusses Action.
2@ ut was said last night that the
censor would hehceforth watch with
I, especial attention what is written re-
garding the congress and would pitt
5i.lessly cut everything that goes beyond
Il the official. statements. In fact, yes
terday's decision (the decision of the
4 peace delegates as to secrecy is per-
s Ehaps neither absolute nor final. 1t
Z seems, indeed, that the question be-
came more embarrassing, when it was
considered that it would necessarily
apply to the British and American
.spress the same rules as are laid down
1 for French papers"
\. This comment brought out re.
,minder in American official circles
n that before President Wilson's depar-
&tture for Europe it was announced Of
q fcially at Washington that at the
8ipresident's personal request both the
n British and French governments had
s. raised all censorship restrictions tc
news dispatches to America concern.
sqs.:ing the peace congress.
S Virtually all this mornings session
8gof the supreme council was taken ur
III by discussion of whether the peace
ri congress will be open or closed
Afterward Mr.. Wilson worked in his
W study and late in the day went for 8
8 drive. He went to the Champs Elysee
3Stheater, with American officials to.
and enjoyed production en-
agStitled "Amex Revue, 1915" given by
1.-THE Argonne Players most of whom
swere soldiers with histrionic talent.
MI Paris, Thursday, Jan. 16.-Premiel
Clemenceau spoke this afternoon IL
the chamber of deputies on the de-
g cision to keep proceedings of the
". interpellated by several Socialis
Il deputies. and said:
I'VE have not yet found a final form
3& in which communications from th'
peace congress will be made, but il
Ia general way the principle of public
5Sity has met with favor"
:1aa Here he was interrupted by Deput!
Mistral, who said:
ssfy Except by you, M. Clemenceau."
II have the honor emphatically t.
ID deny that statement" the premier re
II Joined. 1--WE all should like to keel
A proceedings secret SO that It may no
be said that such and such countr.
: ssmade such and such a proposition
(which has been fought by such ant
s& such other governments. We ar,
Unanimous in thinking that tina
might create bad feeling. We thinl
M that in the preliminary conversation
81 we must at all costs arrive at al
Fl agreement so that there shall be ,
II. solid front at the general discussion
Nj IF we wish to form a league Of ma
III tions, writing phrases is insufficient
There must be q prevailing spiri
a which will insure the life Of thi
,league of nations. We would like. t,
SeS finish this war by a full agreement o