The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-13

cussion here about the secret SEES
sions' and certain Indignation al
their secrecy that ] do not share. II
is matter Of decency rather than
concealment that men speaking va
fious languages. representing com
pncated interests. and feeling their
way toward understandings, should
net be exposed to embarrassing OBJ
servation and comment until they
nave properly hammered out what
they nave to say. 1t is far better
10 digest conclusions under cover
ana 10 present the agreed-upon con.
No Offense Against Democracy.
This is no offense against democ.
racy; no conspiracy against publicity.
The mischief of secrecy lies in secret
treaties and secret understandings
and not in protected interchanses.
cret bargaining in committee. pro.
vided that finally the public is in
formed OF the agreement arrived at
and OF ALL THE CONSIDERA.
TONS IN THE BARGAIN.
Inc conclusions announced are i'm.
portant enough in themselves: but, to
all who care for the peace of the
world they are far more important
In the vista of possibilities they open
up. Certain notable precedents are
established. The four Root resolu.
tons 90 put very clearly those ideas
or withdrawal and abstinence, which
conduct between efficient and politi.
caiiy confused or enfeebled States
IT the peace Of the world is to be
preserved. That Is the New Way
IN international politics. IT is THE
BEGINNING OF THE END OF
ALL ASIATIC IMPERIALISMS.
And following upon it's assent to
these resolutions the conference voted
upon certain special applications of
them. The abolition of the extra
territorial grievance, the right of
emma as a neutral power to escape
the rate of Belgium, and the right
OF China to be informed of the arti-
cles OF any treaty affecting her were
established as far as a resolution of
the conference could establish them.
Lodge Was Shining Star.
And then came Senator Lodge. For
the fourth plenary session featured"
Senator Lodge, Just as previous ones
had featured" Secretary Hughes. Mr..
and Mr. BRAND.
F1fteen years ago l came to Wash
ngton and Senator Lodge showed
me a collection Of prehistoric objects
rom Central America and talked very
delightfully."- about them. Fifteen years
nave changed Washington very great
y, but they have not changed Senator
lodge. He seems perhaps just a little
'lenderer and heater than before, but
hat may be change in my own
and 1t was entirely I'm
character with my former impressions
# him that in putting the four powers
reaty before the conference he
should indulge himself and his hearers
n a vision Of the realities Of the Pa |
iffc, the multitudinous interest Of it's |
nnumerable islands, its infinite va
fety OF races. customs, climates, and |
1t was a most curious and attrac- |
i've phase Of the always interesting |
Conference to have this gray-headed, |
cultivated gentleman breaking through |
III the abstract Jargon Of diplomacy
nd militarism, all the talk Of powers.
adj OF action, Notifications. spheres
I influence, and so forth. in his
tempt to make us realize the physi-
al NV CiiiCSS CHdTI
I this enormous area of the worlds
urface that the four power treaty
nay perhaps save now forevermore
rom the fear and horrors Of war.
Pact Is Pioneer Of New Way"
The proposed four power treaty
hitch thus starts upon its uncertain
ut hopeful journey toward ratifica-
on by the Senates. legislatures, and
mi 70 nf ha fa
ally a departure from the normal
tradition Of the treaties Of the nine
zenith century.
1t Is the first attempt to realize
hat shall I call it?-the American
vay or the New Way in international
fairs.
It's distinctive feature is the par
cipation Of two possible antagonists,
merica and Japan. Instead Of a war,
ley make a treaty and call In Britain
nd France to assist. 1t Is a treaty
,r peace and not against an antag-
1ist.
1 think that the difference between
treaties for" and treaties against"
one that needs to be stressed. The
treaty was a treaty
a, then Germany, and then against |
me vaguely conceived assailant. 1t
a great thing to have Japan and
ngland cordially immolating that
'eaty now, that the four power
eaty of the new spirit may be born. {
After Senator Lodge came M. Vivi- j
nj with a very fine, II guarded,
beech. M. Viviani is q great speaker.
ut he is not merely eloquent. and 1 [
nd people here saying little about
Is wonderful voice or his overtones q
nd undertones or his romantic charm. =
ut much about the subtle things he
lid.
He Forms q Question.
In a gathering that is tense with
one is apt perhaps to trans