Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-05-17
EVENTS OF A WEEK

plants concerning the alleged harshness Of the terms,
i'll suggestions for changes, and in the treatment Of those
suggestions by the council of the associated powers.
Whether the treaty has actually brought a measure OF
enlightenment to the German people, and has caused
them at last to realize that their nation is hopelessly and
disastrously defeated, or whethe> the bitter complaints
that are being made are merely the result of an organized
propaganda to secure more favorable terms by working
on the sympathies of the people of the opposing nations.
or on the fear Of a plunge Of Germany into Bolshevisnn.
the fact remains that vigorous protests are being made.
and there have been numerous declarations that the
peace terms as laid down will never be signed on behalf
Of the German nation, at least not until a radical So
cialist government has succeeded the Ebert scheidemann
administration.
The suggestions which have thus far come from the
German ENJOYS have failed to bring forth any indications
Of willingness on the part OF the peace council to make
any essential changes in the program as prepared. In
reply to the German objection that the treaty provides
fpr a League of Nations but does not provide for the ad-
mission OF Germany to that League, the council points
out the clause in the constitution which it believes covers
this feature perfectly. That clause provides for the adj
mission Of nations not now named. by a two-thirds vote,
upon the furnishing of suitable guarantees for the fulfill
ment of all the obligations of membership. In similar
fashion there is dismissed the German suggestion for la
Dor agreements, the council maintaining that the provi-
S1OHS NHAue II LIE treaty LIZ petleF CNOse suggested
by the Germans. All the way through there has been
evidence of a disposition on the part of the council to ad-
here strictly to its program. and not either to participate
in or TO permit discussions of the essential features Of the
treaty.
While the Germans have been trying to pick flaws
in the treaty as applied to them, the delegates from Aus
tria have arrived in Paris to learn what the council has
in store for them. Some of the problems to be solved
here are even more complicated than those affecting Ger
many, The Austrian empire has fallen to pieces, and the
cou0cil is having trouble in apportioning among the for,
mer constituent parts of that empire the burden Of war
costs which must be borne by someone. Presumably,
too, the rival claims of Italians and J%ugo-slavs must be
settled in order that Austria may acquiesce in the terri
torial boundaries fixed. 1t is possible, Of course, that
Austria might rehnquish all claim to the territory in
question, leaving it to be apportioned later. 1t is more
likely that final disposition Of the territory will be pro-
vtded for in the treaty itself
The controversy over Fiun,e is, apparently, far from
settled. The reported agreement seems not to have
been made. President Wilson is said to be determined
not to concede Fiume to Italy, while the Italians are said
to be equally firm in their determination not to agree to
the permanent alienation of that city from their state.
The Russian situation continues unsettled, though
the tendency Of such information as comes from that
distracted country is to indicate at least an approach to
more stable conditions. 1t is evident that the Bolshev
government must change it's methods or be overthrown,
~ the typical Bolshevik policy is one which makes for
self-destruction. There appears to be reason to believe
that now this element is losing ground. On the other
hand. the government in Siberia, headed By Admiral Kol-
chalk. is apparently gaining strength.
The peace treaty will presently become the subject
OF animated controversy in this country, for congress
meets on the 18th, and while the treaty is not likely to
pc submitted to the senate until the German authorities
have either signed or definitely refused to sign. the treaty,
even before its formal submission, may be expected to be
debated freely in the upper house Of congress, Certain
Of the senators. such as Messrs. Borah, Poindexter and
Reed, are apparently firm in their opposition to the whole
program on general principles, and it may be assumed
to be beyond the power of any peace conference to frame
4 document which will suit them. Others, Of what may
be called the constructive group Of directors, such a.
Lodge, Root and KNOB. have been chary of comment,
except that Senator Knox has recently expressed his be-
YET that the League constitution a; amended is worse
than the original.
Most Of the arrangements for the organization Of the
senate on a Republican basis have been completed.
Agreement has been reached on the election Of senator
cumnins AZ president pro TEN, and Of Senator Ledge
- floor leader The committee on order Of business.
combating Of nine members TO be named by Senator
will be headed By Senator Mocumber, Of North
Dakota Action has bssn deferred ON the selection Of
Ssnstors Penrose and Warren as heads, respectively, OF
N finance and appropriations committees. Certain Of
~ so-called progressive senator's have declared thai nm
~ no circurnstan ees will they vote for these men.
E Director Barnes. head Of the federal xrAan corpora
~, has been at work ona plan to bring shout . reduc-
90 ii the price Of brssA to the consumer. ana IL that
- 5000 ~.tAl A.AAx1x.xDJE.&....