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WORLD FREEDOM
39
seem like peoples of another planet.
It was something like that before the First World War, though not so openly malignant. Not only were the large European agencies under government control or influence, but it was fashionable to serve the crown — not the people.
It was during the last war that I developed the fervid conviction that there could be no durable peace unless the channels of international news and information were opened wide. As the peace was being written at Versailles, I had the idea that, with all the idealistic pronouncements then being made about how to end wars, it would be comparatively easy to plant the idea that the free and untrammeled flow of news would help. I hoped it would be seised upon and that proper guaranties would be included in the Versailles Treaty.
So, in Paris, I sought out Colonel House. He seemed interested and promised to discuss the matter with President Wilson. Later, he explained that the President felt the League of Nations could satisfactorily deal with the problem of opening up news channels.
Of course, it was all a vain hope. What actually happened was that the whole European news situation entered a new era of secret, restrictive agreements.
I was about to bury my hopes, and then I witnessed something that brought a firm resolve never to cease trying to effect honesty in international news exchange. That something was the parade of the Allied troops
through the streets of Paris on Bastille Day. For every man marching in that victory parade there were thousands of dead.
* * *
With the outbreak of this war I disclosed, in book form, how the grip of the European news agency cartel on the sources of news and its international transmission was broken. The press and public responded encouragingly to the idea and ideal of worldwide press freedom for which I appealed. Because of this, and building upon experience and associations reaching back to Versailles, a program to create international interest took shape. So far this program has succeeded. For instance:
1. The first thing to do was to awaken interest in the matter on the part of the American press itself. The appeal was made in an address at the Associated Press annual luncheon in April, 1943.
2. Acceptance of the principle involved and cooperation of Reuters was sought. This English news agency, through the years, has had more experience in international news arrangements than all other news agencies combined. The board of directors of Reuters wholeheartedly acquiesced in the proposal by word and deed. This action by Reuters, now owned by the British press, may, in the long run, prove to be, in a practical way, the greatest contribution that can come from the Eastern hemisphere.
3. A year ago Secretary Hull was appealed to by letter. As a result, and because of a personal visit, the Depart