Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-25
NEW DIPLOMACY REICNS
/, 4. AND AMERICA is LEADER
Frank and Fearless Discussions i'm Con.
ference Between Nations Has
l. Shown Its Value.
CONTINUED From Third Page.)

... his KIM OF diplomacy, OF course
never gets any publicity. There are nc
cable dispatches proclaiming DR.. Gar
FIELDS movements to the world. There
are no editorials specializing on the pur-
pose and success of his policies" DR.
Garfield has no policy but mutual un-
Outstanding, and in forwarding that he
u almost invariably successful.
His discussions abroad serve as an in
PRODUCTION to the American atmosphere
for those foreigners who come to Will
Jamestown as guests of the institute
They come somewhat prepared for the
give and take of the conferences there.
These conferences as a rule are held in
90 quiet and orderly manner that
newspaper reporters have difficulty in
finding anything exciting to write about,
but now and then there is rough
and-tumble argument which brings diff
9erences of opinion into high relief.
In any event, qualified foreign par
ticipant returns to his own country
with a new grasp of the realities OF
American public opinion and such rea-
.soning as there may be behind it. 1t
Il impossible that such exchanges of
views should not be accompanied by
mutual enlightenment. The atmosphere
Is clarified, and even If common
opinion is not attained there is vastly
better understanding of conflicting
viewpoints.
Many Circles Represented.
II the process were confined to the
actual contacts which DR.. Garfield
makes abroad. or even those which take
place under his presidency in Williams
town, not much would be accomplished.
But each Of the participants in the
Williamstown debate is the center of a
circle of influence. Some of these cir
Giles are limited in diameter, while
others include whole nations. Thus
Williamstown contacts become, in q
sense. an unoficial exchange Of opinion
between and among peoples. Who shall
say that they are less representative
than the official exchanges which are
ground out by the diplomatic machin-
cry?
The Institute of Politics at Williams
town is the precursor of numerous other
similar institutions. The University of
Chicago, the University Of Virginia, the
University Of South Carolina, Rollins
College in Florida, the University of
Iowa, the University of Washington at
Seattle and the University of Southern
California are among the educational
institutions which have developed insti-
tutes for conference discussion of public
affairs. Thus the international con-
tended in ever widening circles.
An organization Of a somewhat diff
ferent character was born of the peace
conference at Paris. Englishmen and
Americans attached to their respective
delegations felt the need of freer and
more thorough study of international
problems. First, an international insti-
cute was suggested, but the arguments
against this seemed sufficiently weighty
to turn the decision in favor of separate
organizations In England and America
The result was the Royal Institute Of
International Affairs. with its head
quarters in historic Chatham House in
London, and the Council on Foreign Re-
lations, which is preparing to move into
Its own home in New York City.
Garfield in Unique Position.
There is no one individual who pers
oonifies the Council on Foreign Relas
tions as DR.. Garfield does the Institute
of Politics. Elihu Root, whose most
recent claim to fame was his unoficial
mission on the World Court, is its hon.
orary president. John w. Davis, Presi-
dent Wilson's Ambassador to Great
Britain, is its president. Its list Of di-
rectors includes two former Undersec-
yetaries Of State, former Attorney
General. that partly official partly UNI
oficial diplomat, Owen d. Young. and q
dozen other men prominent In the In
tellectual and economic life OF the
country. es
Nor are these men mere figureheads
under whose protecting aegis num-
Der Of busybodies prosecute their zeal
GUS aims These directors are truly
representative of the membership of the
council which, within its limitation to
tyrr
Of the prominent and influential men Of
the country. Few foreigners of distinc-
ton who visit our shore do not avail
themselves of the privilege of dining
with some group of council members Sc
lected for their interest in the particu-
lar problems with which their guest Is
concerned.
At these dinners the doors are closed.
No reporters are present and the bars
are down for free and frank discussion
on both sides. Bombast and appeals to
emotion are as conspicuous by their alb
sence as at any diplomatic gathering.
There il little opportunity to get away
from the realities of the situation under
discussion. There is nothing but solid,
si1arp-potnted, hard-hitting debate.
And It Is seldom that such a group
disperses without general feeling Of
better understanding on all sides Of the
question. More than once 1t has hap
pened that such a group has been able
10 open up the possibility Of some new
approach to the solution Of heretofore
banning problem.
Not All Greeted Alike.
When q national guest of special dis
tinction, such as Prime Minister Mac
donald or Gen. SHUTS, comes to this
country he meets with the whole men,
bership OF the council--or at least as
many as can get to New York for the
occasion. 1t was at council dinner
that Ramsay Macdonald explained the
dificulties of naval limitation to the
peoples of two nations--a Landmark IN
international affairs. On the other
hand, when Gen. SHUTS came, both
microphones and reporters were absent
and the general ard the members OF
the council thrashed out the question Of
American membership in the League OF
Nations without fear or favor.
The work of the council is not con.
fined to dinner discussions. 1t publishe.
the quarterly Foreign Affairs, whicf
ranks high in the world list OF sucf
publications. Its annual survey o.
American foreign relations Is schol'
arly presentation and analysis Of thu
international issues in which the United
States is interested. The councni
"Political Handbook of the World" &
summary Of the political Affiliations O
parties. politicians and the press Of al
countries, is invaluable to publicists ane
students.
Thus the Council on Foreign Rela'
lions, like the Institute Of Politics, AZ
fords numerous points Of contact be-
tween the American people and thos
Of other countries. If there Is no In
dividual who stands out as its proml
nent unoficial diplomat it Is becaus
30 many of its members constantly par
ticipate in its activities and thus shar'
In the credit or condemnation which !
involved in that title.