Evening star., 1926-04-01
ENVOY SAYS j. s.
IS IN GOLDEN AGE
Berenger Tells Journalists
Greatest Chapter in His
tory Is Being Written.
Rv the Associated Press


NEW YORK. April 1.--One OF the
greatest chapters in the story Of hu-
msnity is being written today in the
Jnted States. Henry Berenger. French
Ambassador at Washington. said last
light al the annual dinner + the As.
ISOLATION of Foreign Press Correspond
ents
The clock of America is striking
golden hours " he said. The aCcumu-
IA tion OF raw materials in one single
country, the accumulation Of gold in
market benefited by the transactions
Of the late war. the association OF the
most energetic races under a conStitu-
tion giving both personal and Federal
Hberty-theSe three causes have pro
duced the most remarkable financial
development al the disposition of the
highest Intellectual and moral aspira-
tiOns.
Has Caused ENcesSes. He Says.
This increase of force and greatness.
however. he said, had caused certain
exCesses. certain jealousies and fric-
ton internal and external. Europe.
which had held the rudder Of civiliza-
tion for more than - centuries, natu.
rally was surprised and even a little
peared in the hands of the United
States
NJ Berenger referred To the new
impetus given civilization by the
United States.
Cites Foreign Correspondents.
He continued:
"Of this impetus. gentlemen. CORE
spondents of the foreign press. you are
Not only do you live in the midst of
this sea. but YOU are sometimes able
10 direct them. Not only do you reg
ister all the vibrations of this great
humanity but YOU are also able to in
crease or disturb them The inStru-
nents Of Your sovereignty are the
telegraph and the telephone.
Therefore one may ask what would
become Of the world it, knowing the
fun extent of your powers, YOU did
not also know the full extent of your
responsibility. Thank God, YOU are
animated by the spirit Of peace which
today moves on the surface of the
world and inspires chancellories.
Journalist and Ambassador.
The Amba assador pointed out 10 the
correspondents his own peculiar posi-
tion Of having been both a journalist
and envoy.
I'VE work together journalists and
ambassadors, in the interest of peace
and civilization. he declared. Not
only must we make known truth and
further justice. but we must also be
careful that the knowledge of truth
and Justice is not provocative of un-
fortunate misunderstanding and
quarrels among men. We must do
nothing precipitately or inconsider-
ately. Before telegraphinS news or
even a rumOr. we must weigh the ef-
feet which our dispatch may have
upon those who receive it. We must
remember that premature or eXag-
rer:ted information is capable of
bringing on not only conflict. but
even a war.
when we must give informa ton to
the head of \ state or to secretary
Of state as in my case. or to millions
of readers. as is>yourS. our principal
object is the same, since 1t is for YOU
as we'll as for me to increase the
knowledge Of those whom we address
without exciting their passions. You
and ! carry the light which may en-
tighten the world or which, il mis-
nlaCed or miSused. may result in its
total destruction. This great responsl-
hiIity we share alike. even if our
means are different.
Not Bound by Same Secrecy.
without doubt YOU have more lib
erty than I, as you are not bound by
the same secrecy. There are even
many things which YOU must say
which would not be we'll for me to say.
An ambassador who plays the role. OF
a Journalist only increases the difticul-
ties among continents and peoples
without adding to his personal pres
tige or that of the government which
he represents. a diplomat should
above all keep the mouth shut which
the journalist should open for the ben
eft of the crowd. More diplomacy is
often required ia open this mouth than
To keep il shut. However. in this re-
srect ! know journalists who are past
masters.
We who have worked a long time
on the press and in politics. know that
Truth and Justice are great goddesses.
hut most elusive ones. They delight
in hiding themselves behind the clouds
Of their olympus escaping the en-
braces of the unfortunates who follow
them. leaving sometimes in their arms
only their semblanCes. changed, con-
Trajectory and often more capable of
producing evil and violence than good
and peace. These meetings of gods on
the heights are most attractive, but