Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-07-13
OPEN DIPLOMACY

fINtE cry for open diplomacy, raised So
L vehemcntly in 1919, has not been an
swered to the complete satisfaction of those
petitioners who clamorcd for diplomatic re-
lations conducted along the lines of the old
New England town meeting. 1t is doubtful
whether this ideal over will be realized; /;
doubtful, Furthermore, whether enterprises
ot great pith and moment anywhere ever
have been forwarded by public discussion
alone.
There will be side conferences. sealed
letters, secret meetings, private converse
tions to the end Of the chapter The alter
nate procedure Is n series of world referen
dums upon every detail of the worlds bust
ness, performance manifesty impossible
and Inconsistent with rational order and
progress.
\ vnst gulf, however. unquestionably
separates the diplomatic methods now en-
ploycd from those practiccd in the European
chanceleries within the memory Of living
men. The reformation, despite the chorus
Of skcptical walls, began in Paris two
years ago.
Compared with the conferences of Vi
emma, 1914 Berlin, 1878; Algeciras 1905;
oven American Portsmouth, 1908, the in
tcrnational parlcy at the Quai d'Orsay was
as open as n mass meeting The secret
treaties, out of which so much sensational
capital wns made, were about as covert as
the average white elephant.
In addition. the food of inside rcmins
cences and truths about the treaty" have
rather cffCCtually laid bare the most fragrant
cases of conCealment. This retrospective
vigilance has been useful The old order
was langushing ut Paris. That 1t has not
in the least convalesccd is cxemplifcd by the
frankncss with which facts bearing upon the
proposed disarmament conference and dis
cussion of Pacific problems have been dis
closed.
Lloyd George has publicly divulgcd the
mystery surrounding the status OF the
Anglo japanese treaty by admitting the
embarrassment Of his Government The
question, he confcsses. was submitted to
the Lord Chancellor. who came to the con-
cuSion that the agreement remained in
force for one year aftcr it had been formally
denounced.
As notice of its abrogation was not given
by Great Britain this month, the alliance
for the present holds. It operates, how
ever, under conditions far different from
those prevailing in the pre- war period.
Every treaty" declares Article XVIII
Of the Covenant of the League of Nations
''or international agreement entered into
hereafter by any member of the League
shall be forthwith registered with the sec
rctariat. and shall ms soon as possible be
published by il. No such treaty or inter
national engagement shall be binding unless
so registered
The succeeding article fully as signif-
cant, provides that "the Assembly may from
time to time advise the reconsideration by
members Of the League of treaties which
have become inapplicablc and the consid-
Grafton of international conditions whose
continuance might cndanger the peace of
the world. y
In strict conformity with the spirit of
this rrgulation Baron Hayishi, representing
Japan, and Earl Curzon. representing Great
Britain. have dispatched to the League a
formal notice that 'f any situation arises
while the agreement remains in force in
which the procedure prescribed by the terms
of the agreement is inconsistent with pro-
ccdure prescribed by the Covenant Of the
League of Nations, then the procedure pre-
scribed by the said Covenant shall be
adopted and shall prevail over that pre-
scribed BY the agreement
Assuming. must be assumed until
otherwise proved that this announcement is
sincere. here is a concrete instance of the
working Of the new spirit Of Candor in
diplomacy. Frankness also has character
lied the foreign reception Of President
Hnrdings invitation to supplemental world
parey. In Great Britain. in France and
in Italy the Prime Ministers have seen fit
to make public disclosures Of the hearty
approval of their Governments.
It is no cxaggernton to state that both at
home and abroad the negotiations and
various steps leading to the most important
development in international affairs since
the sessions in Paris have proceeded as
openly ns the situation will permit.
What has passed between President
Harding and Secretary Hughes as prelimi
naries to the public act is not known. Were
it available the new rdifrc Of cooperation
now building might conreivAbIy be i'm
periled.
The fact remains that citizens Of the world
are at this moment intimately in touch with
the major cndeavors "f the worlds consti-
lutcd chieftains. Modicvaism by no means
has entirely vanished from diplomacy, but
its hold is fast relaxing. The coming con
ference in Washington may be expected to
reflect the decay of the old regime in
fashion far more emphatic than that regis
tered in Paris two years ago hpartcn-
ing popular movement has gained m i'm
pptus which cannot be seriously checked.