Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-01-23
WICKERSHAM
SAYS WORLDS
EYES OPENING
Continued From Page Ons.)

Continued From rage One.J
ing what their agents are proposing
TO do before it is too late to pass
effective judgment upon their decis-
ions.
Mr.. Wilson stated to congress in
his address on December 2, that it
was his paramount duty to go to
Paris in order that the allied gov
ernments which had accepted the
basis Of peace outlined to congress
on January 8, 1918, the fourteen
points" might have the benefit Of
his personal counsel in their inter-
probation and application.
II is an amazing circumstance that
the very first act of the conference
was to violate, with Mr.. Wilson's
consent, the first article OF those
points, and to propose to reach
Covenants" of peace by secret
conference.
Mr.. Wilson, in his speech of
September ~, after emphasizing his
views as to basis of lasting peace,
and Analysing the international sit
uation, stated that he did so mot
because l doubted whether leaders
Of the great nations and the peoples
with whom we are associated were of
the same mind and entertained a
like purpose, but because the air
every now and then gets darkened
by nists and groundless doubling
and mischievous perversions of
counsel, and it is necessary once
and again to sweep away all ir-
responsible talk about peace in
trigues and weakening morale and
doubtful purposes on the part of
those in authority and say things in
the plaihest words that can be
found even when it is only to say
over again what has been said be-
fore quite as plainly, if in less 'un-
vanished terms"
People, Should Know.
Such a time is now here. The air
is full of rumors of international
jealousies and conflicting ambitions.
It is stated on what appears to be
good authority that President Will
son proposed to urge upon the con-
ference the naturalization of all in
ternational waterways, including the
Panama canal; that France is put
ting forward claims to suzerainty
over Syria that are most unwelcome
to some of the inhabitants Of that
region; that there are more secret
treaties among the allies which sup
port Italy's claim to tine Dalmatian
coast; that Mr.. Wilson proposes to
compel an agreement for general
disarmament by using the threat Of
building great American navy.
The people of the world have a rirhf
10 know the facts about all Of thes,
matters. AS preliminary, every SO,
called secret treaty made during thS
war ought to be laid upon the con
terence table and submitted TO tn,
impartial judgment of the world
SO that public sentiment may deter
mine whether or not such bargain!
should be carried out or rescinded b
mutual consent, compelled by thu
same public sentiment. However, i
is being found extremely difficult II
get to an impartial world a full
| tull statement Of the facts of wha
is happening in Paris.
Some Press Experiences.
President Wilson, in his address.
to congress on December 2, last
stated that at his request eth,
French and English government
have absolutely removed censorship
on cabled news, which until within
a fortnight they have maintained
there is now no censorship whatever
exercised at this end. except upor
attempted trade communication witt
enemy countries"
This condition no longer prevails
as recent experiences with a cabll
dispatch Of the New York Tribune
correspondent has revealed. Dis
patches sent by the press, / am told
are censored by the French pres
censor. The dispatch referred /,
was taken by M. Clemenceau to TIL
chamber of deputies, and made tn,
subject of statement by HIM to thr
effect that he had shown it to Presi
dent Wilson, who had authorized
him to deny the truth Of the state
ment in it, which statement by TIL
way, did not refer to France, an,
it was not until two days later that
perceiving the absurdity Of denying
the truth Of a dispatch which had no
been forwarded and not published
the French government permitte,
the cable TO go forward.
These hampering conditions sur
rounding the obtaining and trans
mission Of information inevitabl,
must eomplicate the work Of thos
who are charged with making known
to the world the facts concerning thr
deliberations of the conference an,
OF interpreting Its action in orde
than an informed public sentimen
may be created respecting it. If thi
present system be a method OF open
ly arriving at open covenants 0
peace, it would be interesting as
! definition.