The Washington times., 1921-10-01

that the conference has two distinct
branches--so distinct, In fact. that
many persons have believed II a mis-
take for the Administration to insist
on having the two subjects treated
at the same time.
One OF those two branches II much
! better suited TO general public discus-
sion than the other. An agreement
about q policy In the Pacific, and
particularly about O policy In China.
u o delicate matter about which the
public Ia too busy or too iasy to
learn q great deal at the best.
It II also matter in which ma
tional suscsptibtiities are strong,
whether japanese, America. British.
. there is much to be gained by tact
and relatively little by broadcast dis.
cussion. The essential facts should
be made public, but publicity 10 not
the main issue. ...s
On the question of the size Of
naval armafnents. however, publicity
10 almost the whole matter. The
question OF whether the world wishes
to continue seeking safety by the
method of each nation trying p BE
more potentially dangerous to Its
nsighbors, for purely peaceful pur-
poses, than anybody else can be. 10
q simple matter Of wisdom that the
general public Is eminentiy fitted to
decide.
People should Know.
Between the two principles. Of
carrying and brandishing weapons
on the one hand, or of reducing their
prominence on the other hand. there
Ii considerable difference also In the
cost. which the plain citizen has to
bear. For that reason also It ID
a matter that ought to, be decided
with the fullest possible open ness.
| Let the people hear both sides
fully. One side win contend that
peace will be best assured In the
future, a. II has been In the past,
by the armament race: Insurance It
is usually called. The other side
will read history differently. espe-
Icially the history OF settling argu-
ments with guns on the laps or de-
baters.
On a very simple question Of" phil.
| osophy, where their own money and
their own lives are being dealt with.
It seems obvious that the people are
entitled to the same degree OF pub
licity that they get In political con-
vention or political campaign. \
! without any very exact rules the
washington correspondents viii take
care OF the situation II II 10 under
stood that people like Borah. who
have been arguing for publicity, are
! to have their point Of view accepted,
as against persons like Lodge. who
put all their emphasis the other
way.
Conditions In Paris.
Give the correspondents any encour'
asement and they win get the news
and keep things lively all tho time
that the conference In In session. They
can easily tell whether they are be-
ing treated generously regarding
news, or In q spirit suspicious Of pub
lie comment.
In Paris there was . complete re.
treat from the conception OF open
was too much curtailed and propa-
ganda was too freely infected on the
world. ..
There have been ominous indica.
tons already that the use OF propa-
tanda will bear watching In this coh-
ference. When q matter 10 discussed
freely, with equal access to the news,
with no governmental loading Of the
dice, It may properly be said to be
left TO public opinion.
! When the powerful governmental
agencies combine TO force on the as
sembled newspaper men one point OF
view, then propaganda has begun its
work. When you notice, on the same
day, In any number Of different news
papers, IN almost the same words. an
excuse for the Administration In ad-
vance, II the conference fails to do any
thing. you can assume that propa-
ganda has begun.