And when the public takes up any such point with particular fervour, ultimate agreement may be thereby rendered impossible or the final agreement may, if arrived at, be regarded as in itself _a defeat_, possibly by both sides.

And this would not conduce to peaceable relations thereafter; it would, on the contrary, _increase the friction_ between the states concerned.

And as in the case of commercial treaties, so also with _political_ negotiations, which deal with political matters.
"If the abolition of secret diplomacy is to mean that _no secret compacts are to be made_, that no agreements are to be entered upon without the public knowledge, then I have no objection to the introduction of this principle.

As to how it is to be realised and adherence thereto ensured, I confess I have no idea at all.

Granted that the governments of two countries are agreed, they will always be able to make a secret compact without the public being aware of the fact.