Ashland weekly tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1919-1924, 1921-09-28
THE PRESS MUST BE
ADMITTED To DIsARNiA'
MENT CONFERENCES

During his address before the
Army War college last week, Presi-
dent Harding cited the fact that
lack of understanding has been the
nrimal cause of conflict among men,
He might have added that lack OF
understanding between nations had
resulted from the chickering's OIL
politicians in secret--politicians'
many Of whom were serving some
unrighteous ulterior purpose.
No better reason could be ad-
yanced for making the coming con-
ference on the limitation OF arma-
ments open, as the first step In
new order of world progress to the
ultimate parliament of man. such
broad vision would remove the
cited cause that has repeatedly car
ried nations backward into the low
est depths of barbarity.
Among the pleasures that fell to
President Harding this week was
the writing Of a message to COM
memorate the completion of an In
ternational arch in the state OF
Washington that stands as a trib-
ute to more than 100 years OF peace
along an unfortified 3,OO0-mile In
ternational border - condition
made possible by understanding
alone.
Canada is great nation and the
fellowship that has made our peace
with her possible has never been
laid upon a table for diplomatic
barter. In fact, diplomacy, as the
world knows it., is unknown between
Canada and the United States.
What Canada is doing and thinking
today is known to US today; what
the United States is doing and think
ing today is known to Canadians to-
day. News facts and argument have
flown freely back and forth across
that border for more than lOU
years; travel has been as easy as
between our states.
Canada and the United States
have had their differences-smallel
differences have carried other ma
tions to war. There have been times
when these nations we're smolder
ing powder houses that needed bu'
match thrown from behind
closed diplomatic door to cause
conflagration. Instead, these ma
tions entered into debate not be-
tween diplomats, but instead be
tween the public opinions OF the two
nations
In a hundred scattered sectloni
OF Canada the arguments OF hel
people, views expressed in a hun
dred news and editorial opinions
that were brought swiftly across thu
border to the American people, who
in a hundred scattered sections, wer'
stating their case for the benefit o
Canadian public opinion, which the!
kney would pass upon 1t.
Not diplomats, but public opin
ion formed in conference that EN-
braced all the people OF two grea
nations, and at times extended owe
period Of several years, has bee
responsible for the peace that ha
endured for more than 100 years an
has kept the 3,000-mile information
al border on our north free fror
forts and armaments.
South, there has been a differer
story for more than a centur!
STEPPED in the traditions OF ol
world diplomacy, censorships, lie
and behlnd-closed-d d-door-bartering,
wall II ignorance has been ereete
between the United States and Me-
leo that has brought bloodshed an
blind hate and kept II alive
crumbs OF misinformation that hay
been fed to the peoples Of both nj
tons by outriders OF secret dipl
macy.
President Harding's voice and a
titude will decide whether or n
the coming conference on the lin
tauon Of ornaments Will be held b