Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-08-18

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EVENTS OF THE WEEK
The question Of peace was approached from a new
angle durteg the past week when Pope Benedict sent
peace proposals to the several belligerent countries. The
general tenor of these proposals has been made public,
and the official documents are not expected to add any
thing Of Importance to the general knowledge on the
subject In general the suggestions Of the Pope contain
these features !; Evacuation by Germany and her allies
OF Belgium. Serbia and Poland: restoration to Germany
Of the colonies which have been taken from her; dis
position OF Alsace-Lorraine, the Adriatic provinces and
other territory of like character to be left to a conference
OF nations: general disarmament; establishment of a
world court for the settlement Of disputed questions.
These proposed terms Of peace are strikingly like
those which have been summarized in the phrase origin
ating in Germany. of mo annexations and no indemni-
ties No question is raised anywhere of the good faith of
the Pope in this matter. but 1t has been suggested that
IN various indirect ways he has been Influenced in the
framing Of his proposals by Austria, whose government
stands in a peculiarly close relation to the Papacy, and
that Austria's action has been prompted by her more
powerful ally. Germany. The facts appear to give basis
for this belief.
II the allied democrecies have agreed on a method
OF treating this proposal the public, has not been in
formed of the fact. Obviously some response must be
made. And 1t 10 equally obvious that in whatever terms
the reply is couched, 1t will be in substance a rejection
OF the suggested terms. On this the dominant sentiment
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have been warning against the aggressions of Germany
have fought too long and too hard, they have lost too
many men and expended too much Of the substance Of
their people TO permit the war to. close without more to
show for the sacrifices that they have made thar that q
great military power has not yet succeeded in crushing
them. Even the suggestion for disarmament and that
for the creation of a world court, desirable though these
things are in themselves, will not make palatable the
plan OF permitting Germany to emerge from this war
In any other guise than that Of an arrested criminal,
called to the bar of Justice to answer for his misdeeds
and to- give bonds for his ROod behavior ~ fho Fuf,,ra
That, it may safely be predicted. will be the substance
OF the answer given by the United States and her allies
to the proposals which have come from the Vatican.
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Closely following the passage of the food control
bill came the announcement of certain plans which have
been formulated for the handling Of the wheat crop Of
this year. There is to be created at once a $50, o00, 900
corporation for the purchase of the entire crop at a price
yet to be determined on. The federal authorities will
also take action to supervise the handling Of all wheat
through the licensing Of elevators and mills and the ex-
ercfse Of control over the manufacture and handling of
bread. The purpose is to eliminate waste in handling,
and do away with unreasonable profits at any stage Of
the work.
1t is unfortunate because Of its influence on sentt-
ment In the northwest that the first pronouncement of
the food authorities was directed almost exclusively to
the handling of wheat. The explanation given is that
the wheat crop is now about to be placed on the market,
and that 1t is necessary that the price of both wheat and
1s products be reduced in order that the industries Of
the country may not be demoralized> by the wage in
creases which are inevitable If the high prices continue,
This might be said with equal justice of corn, rice or
sugar. but wheat is at this time given almost sole con-
slderatton. Protests against the proposed reduction in
price have gone in from all over the northwest. and the
Grand Forks Commercial club has taken the lead In this
section in voicing the general demand that the govern
ment do not at this time reduce the price from that
which governed when the announcement w made
which price was established under free competitive con-
dittons which the action of the government now destroys.
Instead OF this the government is urged to follow the ex-
ample OF Canada a year ago. when the government took
over all the wheat In the country at the price which pre-
vailed in the open market on the day of action.
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The secretary Of the treasury has informed congress-
that an additional nine billion dollars must be appro-
prlafed Tor the purposes of the war at this session and
the session OF next winter. We have grown accustomed
OF ihte OF talking In billions that mention OF ouch q sum,
tremendous as 1t Is is taken quite as a matter Of course.
With the amounts already provided for, or In course OF
being provided for, this will make war appropriations
Of SlS,000.00o,0oo. Five billions In bonds have already
been authorized and congress IS now approaching the
end Of Its discussion Of the revenue bill which carried
provisions Tor two billions in special taxes. ii ID pro-
posed that of the new nine billions. from three u four
billions shall be raised by the sale Of bond. thar hafy !
billion be added "a the pending tax bill and that the re-
mainder Pc arranged for BY congress- next winter.
Work is going ON apace for the reoeptfor II met,
various camps Of the men Of the National Guard and
Of the new national army. AIT the various cantonments
long rows OF buildings are being erected. ana storass ~
All kinds are being accumulated. onicers are peina
named for the various posts, and many OF these have
already been chosen. In d very few weeks. it Ia expeoted
sthe great movement Of men to their training camps viii
10 on. The limited States will for the hrsts time since
The civil war. assunas something Of the appearance 81 I
military nation.
81 the war area lighting continues onSail the fronts
We hays grown accustomed to- reading Of great battle,
5ust 90 We have grown accustomed to talking Of billions
ot doiiars. We 40 both with little realization Of wha
they mean. We glance over the reports and conclude
that there is little new oF Important that there il MOI
much doing 1seysrthslezs. aIong practicaliy the entire