Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-03-25
Mr.. LanSinS'S Revelations


. l bLiC expectations Of regulations to
ne made ny former Secretary OF State
Robert Lansing in his personal narrative of
negotiations at the Peace Conference. will
not be disappointed. His book. entitled
'"e fcacc Negotiations,' which has just
oc'h ISSUED from the press Of Iloughton
Nihih company, Boston. contains many
disclosures which. to say the least will
''"Se "'ue discussion. not only in America.
but throughout the world
In the first place. Mr. Lansing advised
against President Wilson attending the
Pt"ce conference, urging that he could ac-
'""p'''h better results in writing into the
"c"'! his views as TO what it should contain
ny remaining at Washington. where his
presence was needed in handling the do
"'cs''c situation and i'll preparing the pub
nc ihihd Tor the acceptance OF the outcome
Vi me WORK at Paris, the American part in
""'Vn couI0 be more effectively directed
''o"i " "Sh!hStOn than II he were in Paris
cannot Du' leel, says Mr. lansing that
NY open opposition to his attending the con
ie'eh'c WAS considered by the President to
~ "h hhWarranted mcdding with his per
H"!ai "hairS ana was none OF nv business
y ic" quotations from Mr.. Lansinc's book
VIII give an iaea OF some OF the statements
II contains mat are sure to provoke bitter
''il'clsm trcm the friends of The President.
n"th as 10 tho propricty of the observations
III view OF his close official relations to him
ana the justice Of his comments For in
stance
one may infer that The President
VS. uiSiosed 10 employ the general
longing tor peace a. "A means OF cX
n,.ns pressure on the delegates in
nNa..r,,
"'t,bt MS plan for :. league
He WAS not disposed 10 discuss mat;
'''s WIN the American commission MS
" Who'll" or even 10 announce to them
h'S decisions unless something arose
"hlch compelled him to do so II.
v">i'y zen mo the practice OF seeing
in g" I,[h@r"'giy ana Keeping secret the
elect OF this knowledge on his views
ana purposes
but Tor secrecy | firmly believe that
iair ~ "
II I" The Increasing sccrctivcncss of
~" proceedings OF tile controlling
b94'es OF ihe. peace conference are
added tn" ntrigu"s and personal bar
S"in.uGs which were constantly going
on, INC log rolling"--to use Il term
'n''iltr I" american polltics-which
Was -fICtiC"d. the record * one which
INVITES no praise and Will lind many
"h" roud"mn ii.
secrecy, ana intrigucs which were
"h'y possible through secrecy. stained
.,!'S al nc nes"ttations At Paris.
"'N nv INC maj act OF Withholding
hM2W!'Hte OF the actual text OF the
treaty from thc delegates OF most of
li" nations represented in the confer
'icv me spirit Of sccrctiycncss seems
10 have gone mad.
An Lansing then dcduces that the Prime
ministers soon saw that they could trade
WIN MIR Wilson, getting virtually any con-
cession they desired in exchange for an
prevail OF tho league. Then their problem
was /" make sure the League was what they
wanted This they did Under the plan,
'hey had rcdrawn the map to suit them
selves IN" Tongue guaranteed their boun-
"afi"s ana pledged the United States to de-
icnd them
admitting Nh Lansimg's high standing
d. an authority on International law, and
the honesty OF his belief in the correctness
o' ms H"uhchons as to the motives which
!hilHehcrG President Wilson in the negotia-
'l"hs' Iail-mnded readers OF his book Will
hot ioac sight OF The fact that he judges the
resident conduct from the prejudicod
p"fhi % View Of lir5conciiable disagreement
Dt'"eeh them as 10 the fundamental prin-
''picH WAT should guido this nation I'm its
International relations 1t is certain that
we american people will not render yer-
e'N' On n testimony OF Mr.. Lansing alone.