Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-08-25
Covenants Openly Arrived At"

az the same day that senator Lodge.
~ named as q member of the disarma-
ment conference, Supposed and defeated the
Harrison resolution which instructed the
American delegates 10 support the idea OF
open sessions OF the conference President
Harding was quoted. in connection with the
German peace treaty, as declaring that you
cannot negotiate treaty OF peace at
mass-mcet!uE
In this manner the Republican leaders al
Washington smash the Wilson poiiay Of
open covenants. openly arrived at" In as
sailing that doctrine these leaders Invariably
remind the country that Mr.. Wilson him
Jself retreated from his proposition once it
became necessary 10 practice instead OF
preach publicity in international relation
ships.
The point they raise, is we'll taken. Mr..
Wilson, after his pronounccmcnt on the sub
ject of open covenants, journeycd to Paris
and there went into conference with the
representatives, of more than twenty ma
tons. Although he pleaded for publicity
in the proceedings of The peace conference
he failed TO attain it. Not a diplomat in
Paris supported him. Not a delegation his
own among them, could be persuaded that
the peace conference could be held under
the spotlight of publicity
The treaty of Versailles was negotiated
behind closed doors. Moreover. the broader
policies which formed the basis of that
treaty were arrived ut in sessions OF the Biz
Four, a group composed OF President Will
son and three European Prime Minister'S
lhere was no openncss at arriving at the
covenants during the Paris conferences,
fact which Mr.. Wilson may have deplored.
but which he could not overcome.
II must be agreed THAI President Hard
h. Y pf u,
Germany, would haze Aeon unable TO pro-
coed with dispatch If at all, should he have
adopted a program OF announcing from day
TO day wha' he and Berlin were discussing
what agreements they had made. ana what
settlements were in process There would
have been uphcavals here and abroad. with
out doubt There would have been loud
protests and shouts OF defiance.
Then too it must he remembered that
me present administration was committed
to the proposition OF oycrhauliug the Var-
sailies treaty and Of making that document
the basis OF its compact with Germany m.
President knows That there are sundry son
a'or5 Who have The privilege of voting upon
faFhca'lon or rejection, who have taken
aoieMn oaiAs 10 fight 10 the last breath Of
thaiT -!Nez against anything bearing tho
brand OF Versailles
II was fortunate for Mr. Harding. there.
lore. mat be had so solid and so recon, q
precedent On Vie question OF open covenants
upon which he could TALL in Keeping tho
German treaty under cover uuti it could he
successfully eonsummated. on the one hand
and skiliully camounarod, on tile other
ne az least postponed The fight which he
pFohahiy ANTICIPATED in Senate quarters b,
keeirnf me lrreooncilahies in ignorance a,
7" "ha' 'hey would be called upon to vot.
II there are 40 more secret covenants /,
me world from 'His time on however. pco
pes lar and wide viii have gained some
ming even though the covenants winch ma,
'A'sV are pToa"cei behind door, THAT ar,
closed ana windows tina, are barr.a