Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-10-30
UNOFFICIAL REPRESEN.
TATION
CABLE DISPATCH recently

"A SAbLE DiSFAlSH recently
told us that Mr.. Ralph w.
Boyden, unofficial representative
Of the United States on the repa-
ration commission provided for in
the Versailles treaty, and Col.
James. A. Logan, Jr., unofficial
representative of the United
States on the guarantees commits
sion," also a part of the Versailles
treaty, have arrived in Berlin to
take part in a conference regard
ing the economic condition OF
Germany. To cut out all high
brow phrases, the object of this
conference is to determine whether
Germany is bankrupt or not, and
the signs are that she is, and can
not carry out her financial engage
ments to the allies. It is a most
important mission and one on
which this country cannot afford
to be unrepresented. We have too
big a stake on the issues involved.
But why call these representatives
of the United States chosen by
our president and paid out OF our
treasury, observers" or unofficial
representatives? They are Off
cially chosen, and will probably
have as much to say at that con-
ference as any members Of it. Yet
they are by the action of the presl-
dent prohibited from casting a
vote, and the pretense is set up
that they are only onlookers with
no voice in the decisions arrived
at or responsibility for such de-
cisions. IF that were really the
fact, they have no business there
The government at Washington
needs no observers" to tell 1t
what happens at these conferences
They are not secret. Our tor
eign ministers or consuls can tell
the administration all that hap
mems at them. What we really
want and need is participation II
these conferences and a voice in
their decisions. That is what we
get under false pretenses OF an
unofficial" representative who IS
really an official representative.
It does not become the dignity
of the republic to sail under false
colors, even to preserve the sadly
shattered consistency Of Presi,
dent Harding by pretending to
hold aloof from these agencies OF
a rejected treaty while really par
ticipating in their activities.
The president recently appointed
an unofficial" representative te
act with a committee OF the
League of Nations. The commit
tee of the league has in charge the
matter Of ~suppressing the white
slave traffic and has done gooe
word in that direction. It is GER
tainly right and proper that this
country should cooperate in thai
work. But by appointing a rep
re~sentative to sit with the com
mittce and to aid in their work
we are really recognizing tn:
League of Nations. 1t seems to u:
rather a cheap evasion of the un'
doubted fact to call our represent
ative officially appointed an un
official representative.
1t was recently announced a
Washington that our interests IL
the freedom Of the narrow straits
connecting the Black sea and thu
Mediterranean sea was so grea'
that the president would send an
other "unofficial' representative
to sit with the conference Q.
powers that is to decide this ques
ton. Suppose it is decided in &C
cord with our views, it is idle t
say that we are under no mora
obligation to support the decision
arrived at because our participa
ton in the conference was I'm
official. The fact is that thu
United States is vitality interested
in many questions arising il
Europe out of the late war, ant
our participation in the solution
of these questions is proper AM
right. 1t would be more dignifie'
if we admitted the fact openly an
freely instead of trying to bea
the devil around a stump. and sen
representatives with full powe
and authority to participate as tn
other nations do. No n is de
ceived by the dishonest subter
fuge adopted. This country ha
rightfully a potent voice in thes
conferences. We might better b
open and above board about it.
THE MOTOR TRUCKS