Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-01-24
NEWS CORRESPONDENTS
! MEET IN RED ROOM
Daily Function Is Not Without Its
Interesting Formalitics, Gays
. Ono Writer.
LANSING is QUESTION TARGET
:; His Long Training in Washington
However, Causes Him To frequent
~ Put Lid Dowr Tight on kcii
Live Information.

rARls. January s2-"rhe criliS on
called. This daily meeting between
members OF The American commission
TO negotiate peace. which occurs in the
red room OF The Hotel crillon on the
place Dc LA Concord1. Here AZ !p:3t
o'clock every morning except sunday
The men who gather the news OF tue
grea, AFFAIRS over here for the Ameri =.
can press associations and newspapers
meet for n conference on inquiry and
confidential instruction with me TOUR
plcnipotentiarics whom Mr., Wilson has
designated to represent the united
states at the peace table.
In it's way the daily function is not
without interesting formalitieS. EStab-
lishcd at the Presidents own suggeS-
lion in order that the news writer's
over here might have the benefit OF
the peace commissioners counsel on
the thousand and one obscure points
shat will arise in this settlement OF
the affairs Of the world, the session in
The rcd room partakeS in a measure
OF the dignity of an affair of state.
There arc hedges and restrictions
The forn,ali,ies surrounding, cabinet
session: a seriousness OF department.
and somewhat rigid ctiquette obtains
both sides which lend the weight
of gravity 70 the affair.
EACH WRITE, MUST HAVE
\ SPECIAL ARMY PASS
None but American correspondents
duly accredited as representatives OF
american journals. magazines or news
associations is eligible FOR attendance.
Each correspondent must show spe-
ciai army pass before he may gain ad-
inittance to the hotel itself. and sol
der ut the door OF the red room in
Spec;s TINS pass second ;ino before
the conference room may be gained.
The newspap crmeu usually gathered
lin the large nall outside of the red
roon! and pass in as 4 body when an
crS are ready 10 receive them With
Secretary Of state Lansing. in their
Waiting standing in u line against the
western end o. the beautifully fur
nished room The cOrresp ondenis bow.
exchange greetings and range them
nen-about fifty OF them at each con-
ference.
AIR OF STIFFNESS IN
EVERY FORMAL SESSION
!; is all very formal There is an air
Then from the secretary:
II need no; remind you again. gentle
men. that we are here. not to give YOU
We San and that sHSry III that
strictest confidence
This latter Injunction the secretary
En9ws himself from Washington eS-
half his audience is comprised of men
with whom he has been dealing on the
her Sa ho 9 sexsFa fsfE an o the the
code OF honor which is the American
newspapermanS.
Then the questions commence com
ing.
Seemingly by consent. by the com
mTSi MSS permit MI lansing to be
answer or eonnrmatien Of h hfsH ata; ""
Mr.. I.ansing's answers come slowly
thoughtfully, as II he weighed care
fully each word before delivering it
ton through lack of knowledge he
says, so frankly: with equal frankness
he denies an answer when ii would
this time. Occasionally he permits
.himself shadowy smile when he finds
by artful indircction a course toward
a forbidden subject
ATTITUDES OF OTHERS
INTERESTING STU DIES
While Mr. Lansing undereoes the
half-hour OF rapid fire Interrogation
The attitudes of the other commission
. ers are interesting studies. General
In uniform with ribbons Of this and
thai camp1isn on the breast Of his
,'folded across his chest. his head held
slightly forward in n posture of keen
w attention: HIS voice. when ON rare oc-
Mr.. White, a man big OF body an,
= :; on heels and toes at the conference
= smiling gently at times. nursing hi,
NOUN ana puiiinG oHt his checks whcr
touched uphh. Ale gives the impression
~; rather cnvyinE' Mr.. Lansing his ,ol
t"i talking.
- for The correspondents. not NOR,
40 i've OF whom are familiar will
*, and the vast invomtions O.
" can politics. these daily guide.
= IN the maZcs OF the biggest new.
'rs since the Hood are tonic il
. =. a!a'ion Tor day OF distresstu
- ping in strange country.
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