WHY SECRET DIPLOMACY?

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 119, 10 August 1927, Page 9

WHY SECRET DIPLOMACY?

NEED EXPLAINED BRITISH OFFICIAL’S VIEWS By Cable. — Association.—Copyright NEW YORK, Monday. Speaking at a meeting of the Institute of Politics at Williamstown, Massachusetts, Sir Arthur Willert, one of the Counsellors to the British Foreign Office, said secret diplomacy was necessary to the efficient solution of international disputes. Geneva had become a sort of club for Foreign Ministers, where, at sessions of the League of Nations, they could meet informaly and quietly discuss controversial problems without satisfying inconvenient curiosity. There had been criticism of this process, but in order that international negotiations should succeed they must be secretive, and to some extent, also, informal. Private individuals did not take the world into their confidence when they had contentious questions to settle. It was easier to be frank, to make concessions and to meet the other side half-way in private than in open conference. “I am not suggesting secret agreements,” said Sir Arthur. “Nothing good can be said of them. War psychology has virtually vanished from Europe and the cleavages made by war have practically been closed. “Political and economic reconstruction appear to be making progress everywhere, and Europe proper is beginning to find herself solidly on her feet.” —A. and N.Z.