Evening star., 1921-09-04
Urges Atmosphere Of Faith
For November Arms Parley
BY THOMAS n. MARSHALL,
Former Vice President Of the
United States.

BY THOMAS n. MARSHALL,
Former Vice President Of tho
United States.
DO not know enough about
the aura-which is said to sur
round people. although invis-
ible to the mortal eye-to be-
lieve in it. but am morally Ger
tain that many events in human
life have come to pass very largely
by reason Of the circumambient
atmosphere. Defendants whom I
believed to be guilty have been ac-
quilted because Of the sympathy
for their families which pervaded
the courtroom. And in one instance
thought a man was illegally. al
though not immorally, convicted
because the jaws of the spectators
dropped blood and encompassed the
jury with q red atmosphere. Many
well conceived plans have proved
abortive because the persons en-
gagged in their consideration have
dragged them from the atmosphere
of the present and injected them
into the poisoned air of past ex-
periences. past opinions and past
prejudices. To win accomplish
ment it is needfu1 that one have
an open mind. charitable judg-
ment and a prayerful expectation.
There are many Of US who still
regret the outcome Of the consider
alton Of the treaty of peace made
at Versailles. It is well for US to
remember, however, that what has
been written has been written. and
that thus far in human existence
no plan has yet been devised to
turn the wheel by the water which
has passed over 1t. To survive, hu-
manity must turn its face to the
future, not to the past. 1t must
bring, of course. all that is helpful
out Of the past, but 1t should retain
nothing that is calculated to dwarf
high ideals.
President Harding has spoken
the sentiments Of his own heart
and expressed the wishes Of the
American people in calling a con-
ference Of the leading powers to
consider the question Of disarma-
ment. shall not say that the con-
ference will be valueless If 1t ac-
complfshes nothing. but I do say it
will be depressing. II not heart
breaking. should failure result.
write this article in the hope that
1t may contribute a little to the
creation of the right atmosphere
in which to hold the meeting. We
have no right to urge this confer
ence and then deliberately to sur
round it with an atmosphere of
doubt. suspicion. distrust-an at
mosphere which will make the OBJ
ject Of the conference futile from
its very inception.
am well aware that a burned
child breads nre. that experience
is the safest lamp by which to
guide our feet. but there are times
when we must forget fire, throw
away our lamps and walk by faith.
The world learned in the great
war, II it did not Heretofore know
it. that secret diplomacy and ma
tiona1 ambition were the prime
Mankind had been taught to be-
lieve that diplomacy was not only
a game of chance. but a game in
which marked cards were used. It
therefore hailed with delight the
doctrine of President Wilson that
international agreements should be
entered into openly, that all cards
should be laid face up on the table
for the examination of all the
players.
Senator Borah has long been a
consistent advocate of open execu-
tive sessions Of the UniteA States
Senate. I was, myself. in hearty
accord with his views. and had the
question ever come to a tie vote
while was presiding over the
Senate I would have voted for
opening the doors. But I realized
that there were two sides to this
question. I observed it's duality
during the progress Of the debate
upon the peace treaty. Private
opinion is usually the downfall of
a man and frequently Of a party or
a nation. When once an opinion Is
quoted in the press, 1t is an almost
impossible task to persuade the
o,%hor ~ fn roNeda
An intimation Of selfish purposes
on the part Of q foreign power
made in open executive session
might widen instead of lessen the
gulf of difference between that
nation and ourselves. The same in
fimation made in closed executive
session might be understood sim
nly as an inquiry, q suggestion
carving with 1t no reflection.
Much may be said both for and
AGAINST either the open door
policy or the CLOSED door. 1t Is
not my purpose to advocate the one
or the other with reference to the
GINNING conference. I have, l nope.
q better object in view than mere
: method of procedure.
Il 4 4 4
Already I note mutterings ex-
pressive Of the apprehension, II
! not Of the opinion, that tho same
old diplomatic aims will enter into
+ha conference, that the same old