The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-04-09

confidence and affection. Let
public opinion walt a few days. It
will then be able. to pronounce on
facts. not rumors.
There is a very substantial measure
OF truth and justice in this appeal. but
the Peace Conference itself is to blame
for many OF its troubles, and in par
ticuiar for the growing measure OF
impatience lei the delay in arriving
al terms. II has not taken the world
Into its confidence as it might have
done and as it should have done.
We are willing to admit that the con-
ference is proceeding in much the
way that the Congress of the United
States functions, the work being done
mainly by committees that sit in Sc
cret and the public discussion before
the main body being largely perfu1c-
tory. But unfortunately for the Peace
Conference. this method has satisfied
nobody and it has proved a continuing
source OF mischief.
Propaganda in Paris never sleeps.
and it is propaganda Of practically
every conceivable form and kind, eacn
variety being directed toward a par.
ticular object aad exertins all its in
fluence TO manufacture sentiment for
its WI ends. The result has been an
interminable confusion of conflicting
advocates. which naturally has iound
its way into the newspapers because
ii is the most conspicuous fact OF the
situation.
In the mea time The Peace Confer
cnce has done little TO explain itself.
or even to enumerate the obstacles
with which it is sob!ised 10 struggle.
Its committees are mute. Its coEl-
muniques arc 80 Inadequate that the!
excite suspicion and justify derision.
No intelligent person worii p.
that every diffe rence g -
dispute yer Interpretation. every ar.
SuGlent oN.. ,--...~-.
the part OF the conference mus, .
published broadcast 10 the world, but
If all cars are glued al its keyhole."
as Lloyd George complains. that is b
cause the doors have been kept too 5
cure!y locked The conference II
not appreciated the necessity Of keep
ing public opinion reasonably weii III
-" cd. which Is the best OF all Ways
OF smotlering false news before it
Coli lane liaLt.
Mr.. Wilson. Mr.. Lloyd George ani
Mr.. Clcmenceau are all great masters
Of publicity when they wish TO use il,
ana when they do not use it people nat
urally assume that there is a special
reason for their %reticence. The res
SOL assigned is not likely to be help.
full TO the harmonious work Of the
council.
We know that there are to be "opel,
covenants of peace" in accordance
with the first of President Wilson's
fourteen propositions, but eve the
most accomplished casuist could not
maintain the thesis that these cove
nants are being openly arrived at
and this blanket Of secrecy ove the
preliminary discussions is the main
cause OF all the public Impotence and
suspicion against which the Prime
Minister protests.
--H%-
They Don't All Contain Booze-Dep-
uty Sheriff Barrett hurried out OF the
court house yesterday with several
other officers to investigate another
trunk story. The men had been tipped
off that a large trunk, double locked,
was at the depot. Upon examining the
trunk it was found to contain pictures,
monkey wrenches and tools of vari-
IL sorts. Two big locks had TO be
pried off before the officers could get
inside.