Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-11-12
Problems of Reconstruction
Are Being Discussed by
Officials of United States
Governrnent-No Date set
For Peace Conference.

Washington, Nov 12-America to-
day turned toward the ways Of peace.
With the military strength of the
central powers shattered and hostili-
ties ceased under terms Of surrender
that preclude renewal of the great
struggle the United States with the as
soctated governments today took up
the problems Of reconstruction.
Immediately ahead, however, diplo-
matte Washington saw the peace con-
ference, the worlds court Of justice
before which Germany as the chief
criminal with Austria, Turkey and
Bulgaria will stand as prisoners at the
bar.
No Date Set for Conference.
When or where the final peace ne
gotiations will be held, officials would
not conjecture. Thirty days is the
time allowed under the armistice
terms for assembling of the peace
congress. The armistice, however, in
cludes a provision for its extension.
The great interests involved, the
many governments and nationalities
met in convening such a conference in
q. short time may cause an extension
Of the thirty day limit.
1t was regarded as likely that the
peace conference will be similar to
the meeting at Versailles where the
armistice terms were formulated. The
victors meeting separately probably
defeated be permitted to enter pleas
Of modification.
The Return of Soldiers.
The military looked today to the
breaking up and return to civilian life
Of the great army modified in the
past nineteen months. Further in
crease of the military forces was
checked yesterday through cance1Ia-
ton of all outstanding draft calls. The
return home of nearly two and a
quarter million men overseas and the
mastering out of the million and a
half troops in camps in this country
States entering the war last probably
will be called upon to do much of the
police and guard duty in France and
Belgium. Future events in Russia are
uncertain and the small force there
may have to be augmented. Transport
facilities are more or less limited. En-
barkation of additional units will not
stop Immediately, Secretary Baker
said, although the troops to be sent
overseas largely will be medical and
similar units. ..
Great Tasks For Navy.
For the navy also great tasks lie
ahead. The sea must be swept clear
of mines. Occupation Of the German
naval base Of Helgoland may be neces-
sary as a result of the revolution in
the German grand fleet. Until peace
finally is concluded there will be pa
troll work to do.
Industrially the change from war
to peace will create as many problems
as the change from peace to war.
War contract plants must be convert
ed to make the commodities of peace.
Workers engaged in such plants must
be assimilated in peace production.
Wage standards, changed by the war,
must be readjusted.. The position of
women in industry must be. determin-
ed. The war industries board, the war
labor board and other governmental
agencies must be continued or substi-
tutes be created in the opinion Of Off
cials, for the solution of these prob
lens. The returned soldier must have
work and a home. This is a recon-
struction question that congress will
be called upon to consider. Other new
legislation making possible the return
to peace time basis will come before
congress-.