Page:Paul Samuel Reinsch - Secret Diplomacy, How Far Can It Be Eliminated? - 1922.djvu/186



prognostications. When the middle class came to power in the nineteenth century, it was pri- marily interested in economic and other domes- tic questions, and was satisfied to leave the con- duct of foreign affairs to statesmen and diplo- mats. The constantly growing political con- sciousness of the public at large was concentrated chiefly on questions of internal politics and re- form. Foreign affairs, as they reached the pub- lic, were thought of still from the point of view of the onlooker, rather than of him who actually had to bear the brunt of the burden. Those who had to bleed and die when hostilities had been brought about, never had any chance, nor deter- mination, to influence the course of diplomacy leading up to wars.

With such a general apathy of the public, it was not surprising that diplomacy should cling to its caste privileges, should try to preserve its discretionary powers, and should often attempt deliberately to keep people in the dark. "In the public interest" is the curtain beyond which no one may peer. Even in the American G-overn- ment, particularly during and since the war, for- eign affairs have been handled with what would ordinarily seem insufficient information to the public; in fact, with occasional putting forth of