Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-04-17
MIXED PEACE NEWS

ment with reference to the peace nego-
tiations or the League Of Nations and say
that 1t is so or that rock bottom has been
reached. On the contrary one feels con-
quicksands. and there is no such thing
as sure footing anywhere. You may
be assured to-day that the Monroe Doc
trine Is in the covenant to stay: To-mor-
row word comes that the French and the
Japanese have reserved the right to dis
cuss the Monroe Doctrines retention in
the league covenant before the peace con-
ference as a whole.
The Paris correspondent of the Brook
lyn Eagle has done the public a genuine
service by stating just why 1t Is that peace
news is so mixed. After referring to the
reported puzzle Of America as to Just what
is happening at Paris in view Of the con-
Trajectory statements sent home by differ
ent correspondents he says it Is not to be
wondered at in view of the difficulties put
in the way of newspaper men covering the
conference.
No member of the American mission is
willing to be quoted on important deci-
sions. The British members. on the other
hand. speak right out. with quotation
marks allowed when ever they have def
mite statement to make. The French rep
rto%i tal hot tho1 ~ hon
pen .rather than what happened. but at
the rate they say it and permit it to go
out as coming from them. The cores
spendent continues:
So far as revealing sources Is concerned
whatever we get from the American mis-
sion must appear as though it had been
we get always as enlightenment as II
might be-"
The correspondents have amusing eve
ming conferences with Colonel House.
Colonel House is non-committal. They
also have morning conferences with
White. Lansing and Bliss. They, too. are
non-committal. They would not commit
themselves to anything. The result is
many conference.-the committals.
Colonel House meets the correspondents
at six each evening. The correspondents
just sit around. Colonel House sits and
puts his fingers together. Correspondents
question the colonel.
| When asked about the George Wash
ington the colonel answers cautiously
| Don't know anything about the George
Washington
Correspondents: SIS the problem set.
tled?"
| Colonel House: There are very few
things which have not been thrashed out
but agreement is near"
Correspondents: Can you tell the ma
ture Of the agreement"
Colonel House fits all his fingers to-
gether neatly and answers that he ISM
quite certain whether will get OF
- will get 1t.
Occasionally, 1t must be admitted, tn,
secretary gives out some real news. bu
the reverse is more often the case.
AS the correspondents file out one see
a French poodle and remarks:
THAT dog looks as if it had been clip
ped.
well, it seems so. far as I can Sc
from this side" replies another. II won
commit myself on that, however"
The reporters never get anything II
the way of news from Henry White. al
though he is always pleasant to them. II
meets the newspaper men at the Crillo
in the forenoon, and his greeting neve
lacks cordially. He sits on the arm of
chair. to case his rheumatic knee. TIL
following are a few typical questions, an
Mr.. Whites answers thereto:
Ibid you see in the Temps the statemen
that Poland won't get the Terchin Goa
fields?"
mo; did not get as far as that. Pos
sibly fell asleep; the fact is, in readin
the Temps. seldom get to the bottom
a column"
What are the Balkans asking for?'
"Everything-they always ask every
thing. don't know the details-l abhc
details-but they want everything
The correspondents file out and one
heard to remark soto voce. And the oil
man says never a word"
And yet before the armistice was sisne
President Wilson insisted that one OF II
essentials of permanent peace was ope
diplomacy. No wonder the newspaper co
respondents are beginning to believe II
peace doll is stuffed with sawdust.