Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-11-08
CHAPTER XIII.
OTt3NI TGU NNTTVs
The Conference and the Reporters

The Conference anu the reporters
The reasons which led to the strict
limitation of news given to the press
during the discussions of January,
1919, deserve to be known. The
French government, which suffered
most from an Informed press which
honestly gave currency to the criminal
statements of dishonest press-was
the last to underrate the Importance
of these reasons In the first place
the members of the conference had to-
accomplish their unprecedented task
under the very eyes of the enemy-for
an armsstic is not peace. The elab-
,oratioL of treaty after a war which
had brought 100000 men to grips
and cost 1900 thousand billions, the
elaboration of treaty between u ma
tions on one side and four on the
other was not so simple as it is the
fashion to pretend now that the work
is done. Any false step might have led
to disaster, might have increased the
difficulties between the allies and Ger
many. Any indiscretion might have
been made capital of in Berlin as in
Paris. might have prolonged a task
which all were ready to criticize as too
slow, might have jeopardibed, if not
the result, at least the speed of its ac-
eomplishment. Besides-and Mr.. Lloyd
Georges remarks on this subject were
aim of the negotia-
tions was agreement between the allies.
How many historical differences-as
NJ Clemenceau so clearly explained to
the French parliament-made this
agreement difficult not as far as prin
ciples were concerned. but: in matters
of Interpretation and application.
IF the press" said Mr.. Lloyd
George. ..intervenes in the early stages
of the. negotiations, it will crystalline
opinions and agreement will be made
more difficult"
Must Be Unanimous.
This agreement, / repeat. could not
be reached by a vote of the majority
was necessary; as it had
been in the interallied councils of war
where final decisions were reached by
gradual adjustment and would have
been impossible if the exchange Of
ton from time to time. Unanimity was
so that to the very last
everyone might remain free
to modify or develop his thought with
out closing the door TO mutual con-
cessions from which only agreement
could come Finally to admit the press
to the development of the negotiations
would have been to admit politics; it
would have been to furnish, week by
week. materials for parliamentary
questions on the formative stages of
the work of the conference; it would
nave been to add the fuel of parh-
conference discussions. MrsS Lloyd
George, although his majority in De-
,ember had been Overwhelming, first
called attention to this danger. NJ.
rlemenceau. although he had received
many votes Of confidence, knew to
what extent national problems would
De used by some for political ends.
Mr.. Wilson, since the November 5,
lad been in a minority in his own
congress. Here again the highest in
.ercsts OF the negotiations counselled
prudence. This view was adopted by
he heads OF governments.
Consult correspondents.
After few meetings, line of action
was settled upon. On January 16, it
vas decided to consult the newspaper
men themselves who very naturally
asked to be admitted everywhere. But
IN the seventeenth, it was decided to
admit them only to the plenary sit
discussions between the great powers
we're merely conversations and that the
settings in which the smaller powers
ook part were private. The same day,
In appeal was made to the patience
II the press in an eloquent statement
which forcefully enitomized the above
arguments Gu the other hand the
MEMBERS Of the delegations were re-
Iuested not to furnish newspapermen
With any information. The commu-
;que issued by the secretariat would
lone be official The die was cast.
'he conference was to continue It's
peighty task surrounded by the in
ifference or the hostility of the press.
Ir. Balfour, Mr.. Pichon ard / tried
) mitigate tho impression caused, by
eceiving newspaper men at stated
ours. When III March the discussions !,
ere begun ia earnest and attention Z,
ccame concentrated on points q
tCoeeiassd on Pass Fsur.l q,