Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-02-16
EVENTS OF A WEEK
Contributions have

EVENTS OF A WEEK
Contributions have been made to the war discussions
during tho week by President Wilson and Premier Lloyd
George. Each Of these leaders discussed the peace a-
dresses Of Chancellor Won Hertling and Count Czernin.
1t is assumed that the address of President Wilson was
timed with special reference to the opening OF the Brit
tsh parliament, which was to occur on the following day,
and at which time it was expected, as a matter of>course,
that there would be the usual outline of British govern
mental policy. The president, in his address to congress,
said that the attitude of the Austrian premier was in the
main conciiatory, and that his address contained matter
which might properly become the subject of discussion.
The address of the German chancellor in his opinion
was of a far different and less satisfactory character,
and the tone of the presidents remarks was such as to
convince the public that he found practically no advance
in the German position as outlined by the chancellor.
The president repeated the declaration that he had for
lnerly made that there could be no Stacking in the Amer
lean effort until there had been established in Germany
a condition which would make possible the discussion of
terms of peace on a really democratic basis. He called
attention particularly to the hopelessness of any method
of arriving at a satisfactory peace by dealing with one
nation at a time, as has been the practice of the central
powers.
The British premier's address at once babe def
ance to the central powers and challenged the parlia-
AAS'Noh' OppSSA1Oh " d ShoHSc y IL lue
conduct of the war under the present administration
was unsatisfactory. In Great Britain there is still evil
dence of a lack of complete satisfaction with the or
sanization of the supreme war council which at one time
seemed likely to wreck the Lloyd George ministry. When
the creation of that council was announced the premier
was assailed bitterly, and charged with a desire to take
to himself supreme power. Lloyd George stood his
ground, however and his position appeared to have been
strengthened rather than weakened by the controversy.
& - l. -ar;- 20 .1;...- t.
again to his opponents, but up to this time the issue has
not been Joined, nor is there evidence of any likelihood
that an effort to contest the premiers control will be
successful at this time.
The Russian situation remains as complicated as
ever. In fact, the complications appear to grow. A
form of peace has been concluded between Germany and
persons claiming to represent the "Ukranian Peoples
republic. A treaty has been executed in due form, and
the fact has been greeted with an appropriate flourish
Of trumpes from the kaiser. The kaiser, in responding
to an address of congratulation on the. subject, ex-
pressed himself in his usual grandiloquent manner, say
ing that his adversaries had recognized and admitted
their defeat, and had now been accepted eon a basis Of
friendship. This was the prelude to a warning to ali
other of his opponents that while his majesty wished
for peace it could be reached only after his enemies had
admitted their defeat.
While the Ukranians were concluding peace with
Germany the. Bosheviki were sparrine over the question
at Brest-Litovsk, and the embarrassing conclusion was
reached to enter into no formal peace agreement, but
to order the immediate rehabilitation of the Russian
forces. This was done, and Germany is now in the po.
sition Of being at war with a power which has no legan
existence, and which presents nothing concrete at which
an effective blow can be struck. How far actual dis.
armament has proceeded there is no means of knowing
but the situation is so. unsatisfactory to Germany tina,
steps have been taken for the resumption of Gern1a
military activity in the Baltic district.
present conditions will mean to Germany. It is admit.
ted that the weakening of the Russian power and the
withdrawal of Russia from active participation d the
conflict has enabled the Germans to withdraw large
bodies Of troops from the cast front. This process has
BIZ heen going on for months. 1t is a question how much
1prther 1t can proceed. The German lines on the Rus
I'm front have already been greatly depleted. wor1
troops have been sent east for rest and recuperation
Some of the eastern divisions are largely made up o
n Zen too old to perform effective service. Positions ar.
by a mere screen OF men. In the meantime the
a Huasdans, though probably incapable of any n,iitar;
az movement on a large scale. are able on short nos:ce I,
Aaakes demonstrations which may be very inconvenient
~ he east line cannot be left without a guard. And tn,
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