Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-03-11


acts are becoming more and more
'redominantly economic ~ char
-cter. The Sykes-Picot agreement
vas political in it's main features,
bought with 4 strong economic
lavor peryading all its terms: tho
atest Franco Turkish treaty
'1921) Is almost wholly economic
indeed, the French renounce 4
narrow position In return for
broader economic advantages. In
he negotiations concerning tho
-ailroads and pipe line which fol-
owed the Sykes-Picot treaty, econ
,rnic considerations OVERRIDE poll
.ical transactions. II is such econ
1mic "dcals" that are undoubtedly
going on in every corner Of this
world today. Although concerned
with the production and
exchange OF cnHmodities. they
often profoundly affect the destl
MES OF large local populations and
the whole scheme OF international
relations. Although frequently
negotiated by Industrial and finan-
cial, rather than diplomatic,
agents, Governments stand behind
them with the armed force OF ma
tons. The old order changes rs
methods, but not its spirit.
Such were, in general, the Dc
sires. needs, ambitions Of the al
lied Governments set forth IN the
secret treaties. So they intended.
IL they won the war, 20 divide Il
up at the Peace Conferences
Though outwardly they were
combating imperialism az symbol
lied by Germany. they were them
selves seeking vast extensions OF
their own imperial and economic
power. They kept these agree
ments secret from their own
people. fearing their eject on the
,reat masses Of the workers and
ne liberal groups; they kept them
ecret also from their smaller al
lies, like Serbia, and they kept
hem secret from America both
before and after America came
MO the var. These treaties,
tartly disclosed In enemy coun-
les through the publication OF
re Bolsheviki, and greatly exag-
Grated there, were powder and
shot--army corpsi-the enemy.
for they were used 20 prove tho
contentious Of the German war
lords that the Allies were really
fgEting 10 gobble up the world.
And finally they bore crop OF
suspicion. controversy, balked am
billion. which twice, at least,
II
ence, poisoned fits discussions and
warped and dishgured fts final de-
cisions.
Wilson's Labor for Remedies.
am conscious that this MAKES
a pretty dark picture, but II isl
necessary to look squarely at It IN
considering the atmosphere In
which the Paris negotiations were
carried on And yet, through II
all, tho President not only COM
bated, steadily and with determi-
nation. settlements based upon
these old secret desires and agree
ments. but patiently worked cut
provisions in the Covenant OF the
League OF Nations which, in
future. should wipe out the entire
disgraceful old system. Article
XVIII; OF the Covenant, reads:
Every treaty or international en-
gagement entered into hereafter
by any member OF the league shall
be forthwith registered with the
secretariat and shall as soon as
possible be published by II. No
treaty or international engage
. ment shall be binding until so
registered.
This provision, II once all the
nations go into the league with
determination and goodwill, IS of
an Importance that can scarcely
be exaggerated. II would cut
away all secret diplomacy: Il
would usher in the new era of
open diplomacy.
Yet everything depends upon
the goodwill and sincerity with
which the nations support and
carry out these provisions. Presi-
dent Wilson could help give ths
world an fundamentally for ex-
pressing its good will. but he could
not give them good will. Since
the League OF Nations came into
existence more than $50 treaties
have been registered under this
provision great step-and yet
: we know that secret arrange
: ments" are still being made, all or
parts OF which have not been reg
istered
l have endeavored thus to set
; forth the ripe products OF the old
p diplomacy. To q certain extent. OF
course, these arrangements Were
forced upon the Allies as a meas
ure OF war; for Germany also was
making secret offers TO Italy. to
Rumania, 10 Bulgaria, TO Turkey.
and probably TO Japan. which had
e TO be countered. We know that
Germany even tried secret diplo-
macy with Mexico. Leaders OF
liberal and progressive minds on
all domestic issues. like AsQuith
b and Grey. were forced, owing TO
the Anticipated and evil system OF
the old diplomacy. TO take part
= in such secret practices.
p In the high emotional time OF
b danger and suffering. under the
leadership OF President Wilson
these old aims, these secret de-
: sires. were apparently forgotten.
apparently disclaimed. The whole
world was momentarily lifted TO a
higher moral plane. The people
OF the world were with the Presi-
dent. But the moment the war
closed the reaction began. The
+ old Governments and the old sys-
= tenn We're in control, and there
WIS a mort on fintrS saci,.rr,. L.. L.,