South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-01-18

approved the Following text 10
he handed to the press in the
name of the five great powers:
The representatives of the
allied and associated powers have
given earnest consideration TO
the question of publicity for the
proceedings of the peace confer
ence. They are anxious that the
public, through the press should
have the fullest information
compatible with the safeguarding
of the supreme interest of all
which is that a just and honor
able settlement should be arrived
at with the minimum of delay.
I" 1T is, however, obvious that
publicity with regard to the pre-
liminary conversations now pro-
ceeding must be subject to the
limitations necessarily imposed
by the difficult and delicate ma
ture of their object. The pro-
ceedingS of a peace conference
are far more analogous to the
meetings of a cabinet than to
those OF legislature. Nobody has
ever suggested that cabinet meetings
should be held in public. and If they
were so held the work of the gov
eminent would become impossible.
lone reason why cabinets are
held in private is in order that diff
ferences may be reconciled and
agreements reached before the stage
Of publicity is begun. The essence
OF the democratic method is not that
the deliberations of a government
be conducted in public but that its
conclusions be subject TO the consid-
GRAFTON of a popular chamber and 10
free and open discussion on the plat
form and by the press.
Representative of the allied
and associated powers are holding
conversations in order to solve ques-
tons which affect the vital interests
of many nations and upon which
they may at present hold many
diverse views These deliberations
cannot proceed by the method OF a
majority vote. No nation can be
committed except by the free vote
of its own delegates. The conclu
sions arrived at in these consulta-
tons therefore can only be formed
by the difficult process of reaching
an agreement among all.
This vital process would only
be hindered if the discussion of
every disputed question were open
ed by a public declaration by each
delegation of it's own national point
of view. Such a declaration would
in many cases be followed by prema-
ture public controversy.
This would be serious enough If
il were confined TO controversy be-
tween parties within each state. 1t
might be extremely dangerous if as
often would be inevitable, it result
ed in controversy between nations.
Moreover such public declara-
tons would render the give and take
on the part Of the delegates them
selves. which is essential to a sue
cessful negotiation. a matter of in
finitely greater difficulty. II is also
extremely important that all the
settlements should be not only just
but speedy.
Every belligerent power is anX-
ious for the early conclusion of
peace in order that its armies may
be demobilized and that il may re-
-,
IF premature publicity is given
10 the negotiations, the proceedings
of the peace conference would be
Unfortunately protracted and the del
egates would be forced to speak not
only Of the business before the con-
ference but 10 concern themselves
with the controversies which had
been raised by the account Of their
proceedings outside
Finally there will often be very
strong reasons against announcing
the conclusions Of the conversations
as they are arrived at. The repre-
sentatives Of a nation may be will
ing TO give their assent on one poin:
only provided that they receive a
concession on another point which
has not yet been discussed. II will
not be possible to judge of the wis
dom and justice of the peace settle
ment until il can be viewed as q
whole, and premature announce
ments might lead 10 misapprehen-
sions and anxiety as 10 the ultimate
results for which there was no real
foundation.
In calling attention, however,
to these necessary limitations OF
publicity. these representatives Of
the powers do not underrate the i'm
portance of carrying public opinion
with them in the vast task by which
they are confronted. They recog-