Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-12-26
WASHINGTON
FILLED WITH
WILD RUMORS
House Says Secrecy at
Parley Causes I'm
certainties.
NOW SEALED BOOK
Explanations Only
Prove Value of Pro-
ceeding in Open.
NOW SEALED BOOK
Special to Indiana Daily Times

SDecial TO Indiana DAILY 44iAAtS
and philadelphia Public Ledger:
Bv COL. EDWARD NJ. HOUSE.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 26.-The
Washington conference made a bril-
liant start in open diplomacy, and
hopes ran high that the beginning
was a forecast of what might be ex-
pected to follow.
When Secretary Hughes sprang his
proposal for a reduction of capital
ships there was instant and wide
spread applause. 1t was a proposal
which met public approval and ex-
pectation, and the momentum OF this
commendation carried it through.
All the objections raised broke d. wn
and it promised to go through sub
stantially as first proposed.
It would seem the success which fol
lowed this initial step in the open would
have stimulated the conference to con-
tinue in that direction, but unfOrtu-
nsteIv il has not done so. Almost over
night the conference became as sealed
book. The result aas been to fill the
air with rumOrs and uncertainties. EX-
planatiou has followed explanation, all
of which would have been needless had
tho public been taken into confidence.
Sooner or later statesmen and diplomats
will be forced to do their bargaining
in the open. and IL was hoped begin
ming had at last been made. 1t is not
necessary for committee meetings TO oe
held in the open. but the public Is en-
titled TO know what proposals are be
ing made and by whom. This would
necessitate arguments being given tor
and against each proposal, and these
could be followed by the people in
way which would enable them to form an
intelligent opinion
EVEN HARDING
LEFT IN DARK
The most striking instance OF the evn
effects Of closed doors and whispered
agreements is found in the four power
treaty. II appears that not even the
President Of the United States knew
exactly what his representatives We're
doing or had done The phrasing OF
this treaty and the Interpretation thereof
doubtless had been given careful con
sfderation. but it was done so covertly
that no inkling Of what was being done
reached the outer world until the doeu-
ment was given out in completed form
And even then no adequate explanation
was made.
Those who know something Of the diff
fculties involved in the making Of such
treaty. can appreciate the task which
confronted the delegates. Noc only a
new and important treaty had to he
made. but an old one had to be dis
carded. Nor could the old treaty be dis
earded with 5uU some Of its substantial
provisions being incorporated in the new.
But it is almost certain that more gen
eraI approval would have been given the
four-power treaty If the public had been
permitted to follow its making step by
step. The reasons for doing what was
done would have become clear, and bet
fer understanding Of the benefits to be
derived would have followed.
JEoPARDTZES CHANCES
OF FUTURE TREATIES.
The treaty is not likely to fail OF
ratification. but If it should fail, what
chance Is there for treaty makers to sue
coed in the future? In this instance, the
conference IS being held within the
shadow Of the Senate chamber, and Of
the four delegates from the United States,
one is the leader Of the Senate majority,
one is the leader of the minority, and one
Is an influential ex-senator. In addition,
President Hsrding's seat in the Senate
is not yet cold.
The same mistake was made IN the
initial discussions concerning the use and
number OF submarines. The country IS
divided on this question. There is
strong demand for their complete abolish
nent and there are many who desire
thei- size and use limited. On the other
hand. there is a considerable part OF our
peorIe who wish our under r-sea feet aug
mented so as TO become powerful enough
not only to repel invasion. but to pro-
tect our commerce from hostile battle
ships and cruisers. This latter group Is
in full sympathy with the position taken
bv the French. The British hold the Op.
posite view and, we are told. have been
eager from the first TO have this question
thrnshed out in the oPen.
And why not? When this subject came
under discussion what harm could have
come from letting the public have all the
arguments for and against it2 And as
much can be said for giving publicity to
the other questions coming before the
conference. The lack Of publicity has
taken of the keen edge of interest the
people had in the conference and in con-
sduence Washington is a duller place to-
day than IT was a month ago.-Copyr1ght,
1921, by Public Ledger Company.