Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-08-24
UNITEDSTATES
WON 7 ASK FOR
OPEN SESSIONS
At CONF FERENCE.
Congress and Administration
Officials Believe Such a
Course Would Be lnprop-
er at Arms Meet,
LODGE OPPOSED TO
"OPEN DOOR" DEMAND
Believes 1t Would Be UnWise
to Pledge the American
Representatives to Make
Such a Request,

Washington, Aug. 23 (by the AS
sociated Press) "A belief on the
part of the administration that this
government should not insist on
open sessions at the disarmament
conference became manifest today
both in congress and among high
administration officials.
In the senate the question fur
nished the theme for n colorful de-
bate, during which Senator Lodge,
the republican leader, who has
been selected as a delegate to the
conference, led fight against
senate action to pledge the Ameri-
can representatives to demand that
the assembled powers sit with open
| doors.
Won't Oppose Secrecy.
At the same time among admin
istration officials it was outlined
as definite purpose of the govern
ment to refrain from determined
| objection to secret sessions. Not
only was 1t indicated as the belief
here that delicate subjects could
not be profitably discussed in the
open, but it was suggested that TO
insist on such a course might meet
with such strong opposition from
abroad as to wreck the whole pro-
gram of the conference.
Confirming reports from Berlin
THAT the treaty negotiations with
| Germany are being conducted Sc
cretly at the request of the United
States, high officials emphasized 1t
as a conviction of this government
that diplomatic conversation can
mot develop a frank exchange Of
views, If full publicity may be given
without endansering frankness and
without offending other powers, Of
| ficials are said to favor It.
Lodge States Position.
A similar attitude was taken In
the senate DEBATE by Senator Lodge,
who has been in frequent confer
ence with President Harding since
his selection as delegate. AL
though declaring that "the largest
publicity compatible with the pub
lie interest should characterize
the conference, the republican
leader asserted it was wholly 'im-
possible and impracticable" to con-
duct negotiations entirely in the
full view Of the public.
The senate debate resulted from
a resolution introduced by Senator
| Harris, democrat, Mississippi. in
structing the American delegates
to insist that the conference ses'
sions be public. IT came up as an
amendment to the 100000 appro-
priation for expenses of the con-
ference, but was withdrawn after
Senator Lodge objected. Senator
| Harrison announcing that he would
offer it later as separate meas
ure. The appropriation then was
finally approved by the senate.
"Open Covenants" Doctrine.
During the discussion Senator
Lodge and others referred to the
"open covenants" doctrine of Pres
ident Wilson, Mr.. Lodge declaring
that although the former presi-
dent went to Versailles denounc-
ing secret diplomacy, he finally
was drawn into a secret conference
OF three or four men in whom
centered the actual power of the
entire conclave of delegates. SEN
ator Watson, democrat Georgia,
seconded the argument against
open sessions and Senator Borah,
republican, Idaho, supported Sem
ator Harrison's argument for his
resolution.