Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-17
PARLEY" SECRECY
MAY Be REVISED
ngIo-American Public 0pin-
ion Expected to Assert It.
self on Subject.
PAN AMERICAN POLICING
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

copyright. 1919. by n. Y. Evening Post. Inc J
PARIS, September 17.-Unquestion.
ably the decision of the supreme eoun-
ell to withhold the news of the prelim
mary conferences is not final. Presi
dent Wilson and Lloyd George gave
provisional consent after the French
Italian and Japanese representatives
had insisted upon that rule, but the
whole subject will be taken up again.
In the meantime it is hoped here that
the American and British public opin-
ion will assert itself behind Mr.. Viii
son and Mr.. Lloyd Georges viewpoints
on open diplomacy.
The council also discussed the aues-
tion as to what language would be
used. The British and Americans
guage, but the French avow historic
claims, and said their language was
the official voice of European affairs.
The Italians are said to have made
sundry remarks about the privilege
to use their own language in their
documents. and the Japanese are
understood to have taken a similar
position. The upshot will probably
be the use of both French and Eng
lish.
These questions may seem petty
now, but are sure to be source of
conflict if left unsettled As matter
of fact. the proceedings thus far
have been marked by an active spirit.
happy augury.
President Wins Favor.
Mr. Wilson continues to win favor
by his -mindedness and personal
ity. 1t was he who warmly supported
the British proposal that their
dominions be given separate repre-
sentation.
This was of great Importance to the
British empire, which is anxious to
make the colonies feel that they are
separate nations and that the achieve
ments of Canada, Australia and New
Zealand shall not go unrecognized.
The participation by the colonies in
ward in their national development,
and from British Viewpoint gives
great steadiness to the league of ma
tions idea. as it makes the territories
feel their separate natfonalfties. In
deed, the amount of British and Amer
ican corporation / Is Beginning to
have noticeable effect on. the situa-
tion. Views as to the league Of ma
tions are being freely exchanged.
Much discussion is probable over the
evolution of the pan-American phases,
especially of the British suggestion
that a single nation be made to over
see the whole region, with obligation
to keep order.
Raises Interesting Point.
This raises the point whether the
United States be compelled to obligate
herself to police Central and South
America. While anxious that the
Monroe doctrine remain unimpaired.
there is nothingto indicate that the
United States is desirous of adopting
anything which could be character
fzed as, a "big-stick" attitude. espe-
cially toward her rapidly developing
sister nations in neighbering spheres.
Yet there would seem to be no OBJ
lection to an agreement that America
should undertake to mediate any dis
putes in nearby countries. but with
absolute freedom of action to our
selves as to whether military, naval,
economic or moral force be used. The
American position hitherto has been
that the Monroe doctrine prevents any
European country from colonizing in
the western hemisphere, but involves
Europe and Americas, for example,
war between Spain and Chile wherein
the United States remained neutral
Nevertheless there is an apparent eff
fort being made here to require the
United States to police semi-civilized
portions of Haiti and Santo Domingo
in case of international friction.
Obligations on Europe.
In return there will be similar OBJ
legation of France and England to
keep order in their spheres The prob
able result would be that America will
decline to commit herself in advance
on any course of action in Central and
South America beyond general obliga-
tion to prevent. so far as possible, any
wars between European and American
states.
1t is fully understood here that this
Brazil. which is represented at the
peace table. will be potent. Her view
will probably be similar to other
large Latin American states, that
they are sufficiently advanced as not
to require guardianship of other ma
tions, and the result of the whole
discussion will probably be their first
official recognition of all powers of
the Monroe doctrine. which is now
supplemented by Mr.. Wilson's pro-
nouncements against adding a single
foot of territory by conquest or in
reference with the sovereignty of
any pan-American nation.
This is expected to be sufficient to
prevent misunderstanding in Central
and South America while making
clear the necessity of each nation to
keep peace lest it involve the United
1t
OF nations, TO which it will be respon-
sible
Bearing on Mexico.
In many respects this may prove
salutary. as the trouble the United
States had with Mexico was due at
one time to support that certain
European governments and financial
interests gave to political factions
therein inmical to the United States.
The league of nations will probably
insure America a free hand in the
diplomacy of pam America and SINH
larly impress each nation which is
or. refused to join, of obligations
given the United States by the league.
1t is fully expected Mr.. Wilson's
policy of calling neutrals into con-
sultation whenever their interests are
involved at the peace table will be
followed. So every nationality which
is diplomatically represented in Paris
will have full opportunity here or
through the Washington ambassadors
to present it's viewpoint
Concord Is Reached.
The biggest development of the last
few days is the apparent concord
reached between Great Britain, the
United States and France, after set
Ting vexatious economic problems
which treatened recently to upset
the whole spirit of Cooperation.
nu%IonL To unr.4,,1