Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-12-14
EVENTS OF A. WEEK

EVENTS OF A. WEEK
The president of the United States is in Paris. The
ship on which he and his party sailed completed the trip
across the Atlantic on Friday, and the distinguished
Americans were welcomed at Brest by officials of the
French government and the enthusiastic populace. After
an all night ride the party reached Paris, where Presi-
dent Wilson and his wife were received by President and
Madame Poincare. The journey was marked by no un-
toward event, but had sufficient variety in the way OF
weather to avoid monotony.
The fact that the head Of the American nation was to
be at the peace conference had tended on this side OF
the ocean to fix attention on the gathering with even
greater interest than would otherwise have been the case,
while in Europe the coming of the American president
has been eagerly awaited as an event of supreme inpor-
lance, and the people have been anxious to see in person
the man whom they have come to regard as the most
Influential Of all those whose voices will be heard in dis
cussing the conditions of peace.
AS thought has crystallized around the subject, Pres
ident Wilson has come to be looked upon as the special
champion Of the principle Of a league of nations for the
maintenance of peace, and as the suggestion for such a
league was made officially by him, he is expected to be
prepared to justify the principle in his presentation of
the subject, and to present to the assembled powers a
concrete plan which will serve as the basis of discussion.
OF all the subjects which are likely to come before
the conference for determination that of the freedom OF
the seas has been discussed with interest second only 60
that devoted to the league of nations, and here, also, it
is apparent that both a definition and a working plan
will be needed. In the statements which have been made
on this subject on both sides of the ocean two things
have been brought out in strong relief. First that Brit
.ish sentiment will not tolerate the REIMBURSEMENT by
Great Britain, under any conditions, of the. position
which she has occupied for centuries, and still holds, as
the greatest sea power on the planet. Second, that
American sentiment neither requires nor would approve
the REIMBURSEMENT of that first position by Great Brit
ain, and does look with favor on the development of the
American navy until this country stands, as a maritime
power, in second place only to Great Britain.
1t is pointed out by speakers in both countries that
the seas are and have been free to all in times of peace.
and that in war it is as idle to talk of freedom of the
seas as of freedom of the land. 1t is pointed out further
that it was the superior power of the British navy which
made possible for long months the proper functioning of
the land forces Of the democratic nations. and thus in
sured the ultimate defeat of Germany. Hence no con-
alteration will be given to any plan which would destroy
the effectiveness Of that navy.
Despite some unfavorable criticism, the principle OF
a league Of nations is generally approved. But in the alb
sence of a concrete plan definitely proposed by COM
petent authority, there is little on the subject to discuss.
The league and the disposition of>naval forces will neces-
sarily be considered together. 1t may be assumed that
II there could be presented a plan which commended it.
self to all as certain to secure justice to all nations with.
out the use Of force, the armed forces of the world, ex.
cept those necessary for police duty, would be disbanded
But, as no such ready and conclusive solution of the
problem is possible, we must expect that any league will
be regarded largely as a hopeful experiment, and tina,
the reduction of naval strength will follow only after
the league has demonstrated its usefulness in actuaI
service. NJ. u
The bill Of war expenses which Germany will be re-
CURED to pay has received attention during the week al
tie hands especially Of British speakers, who are partic.
ularly active just now because of the approaching genera,
election. Premier Lloyd George has placed the Brl,,st
war cost at forty billions, and has estimated the cost t.
all the Allies at one hundred and twenty billion dollars
This is from SO to 10 per cent more than the total esti
mated wealth Of Germany before the war. It ia Quit,
evident, then, either that these bills must be discounted
at a pretty stir rate or that it will take a song INN,
to close up the account.
y
It Is quite probable that between undiscriminatin,
ssentimentality and German sympathy there will crop on
some some sentiment IN favor OF dealing lightly with Germany
on the ground that her military and naval disasters he
loss Of power and prestige, and the impoverishment Of tn,
nation have imposed on her people all the suffering tina
They can bear. The cold fact is that somebody must pa,
the cost OF the wal. and the question is whether tn
sheayy end Of the burden shall be carried by those WI,
were responsible for the war or by those who sought I
sayert #. There u every reason to believe that, Will
not countehacinsb brutality now any more than on the nc
tuai field q battle. the associated powers wiz demand Q
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