El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-02-05
ALLIES IGNORE
Old DIPLOMACY

Continued from page II
here during the war. used to com
plain OF the activity OF count Won
I Bernstorff. the German ambassador,
Sir Cecil often held It TO have been a
gross improperly for the United
States TO permit count Won Bernstein
TO stay in Washington. because in
1913 the latter tried to influence
Of the Panama canal tolls act, which
was favored by Great Britain, but
feared by the German foreign office
as the beginning Of Zoo good an IN
derstanding between the United
States and England
II also is a fact that when Francois
BOillou. chairman OF the committee
on foreign affairs OF the house Of
deputies Of the French parliament.
was quoted IN Paris newspapers and
in cables TO America as having ad-
Vocated a direct link between the
French parliament and the Republi
can party in the American senate, the
United States government made un-
official inquiry and satisfaction was
given in the form Of an official de-
NAL which however, American cor
respondents, who heard the speech
took a grain Of salt
The situation in recent months IN
Washington has been one Of deep
anxiety for European governments
Ambassadors here could not get in
touch with president Wilson. They
but that cautious individual refused
TO talk about the treaty except 10
say IL was the presidents business
Desperate because they could get
foreign ambassadors invited senator's
20 their homes and invariably through
the well known medium Of social
occasion so often used in Europe the
ambassador got line on the situa-
ton here
Nofhfnr TIIop-fea1
Strictly speaking there is nothing
illogical in their course. They saw
the senate as the powerful factor
in the situation and they were being
pressed from European foreign or
ices for accurate Information as 10
what was happening Moreover they
were urged TO express discreetly 10
American senators the European
viewpoint and do all they could 10
forward compromise Just how
much OF these internal diplomatic
negotiations has been revealed 10
president Wilson is not definitely
known, yet while persons fond OF
diplomatic precedent may be as
tOnished at the unusual course OF
procedure made inevitable by the con-
flict between the legislative and
ment, there is little likelihood that the
department Of state or white house
VIII stand on its rights and make a
fuss over what has happened.
There are those who think
that out of the present series
OF Incidents may come new pre-
cedents- Namely. the sending Of
unofficial ambassadors or min
listers TO sit in the Hobbies OF the
United states senate and make
clear the European viewpoint.
This would enrirle the United
states TO send a commissioner or IN
Official envoy 10 SIT IN the house OF
commons or the French parliament
the statute books Of the United
states viii first have 10 be repeated
before some phase Of open diplomacy
free interchanges between citizens
and governments-can be realized.
Scope Of Law.
Il is a question for lawyers 20 say.
Tor instance, just how far the fol-
lowing provision Of the Logan act
covers the case.
IF any citizen Of the United states.
whether actual resident or residing
within the same, or in any place sub
1ect 70 the jurisdiction thereof or in
any foreign country without the per-
mission or authority OF the govern
carries on any verbal or written cor
reSpondence or intercourse with any
foreign government or official or
agent thereof with an intent TO in
Iluence any measure or the conduct
OF any foreign government or any
official agent thereof or TO defeat
the measures of the government OF
the United States and if any person
being a citizen Of or resident within
the United States or in any place
subject 10 the Jurisdiction thereof and
not duly authorized counsels. advises
or assists in any such correspondence
with such intent shall be fined not
more than $4,000 and Imprisoned not
more than three years
The above law specifically permits
citizen TO apply 10 a foreign gov
eminent 20 obtain redress for injuries
sustained but nothing more The
Logan act has more than once been
cited by persons in official circles as
applying 10 the present situation but
10 is doubtful whether the Democratic
administration for personal reasons
would make the mistake Of trying
10 enforce il upon United states
enators--Copyright 1880 The FL
Paso Herald