Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-04-12
EVENTS or WEEK


Paris during the week, and what seems to be a deadlock
Ia reported to have been broken. The one development
which reached the proportions of a sensation was the
action Of President Wilson in sending orders speeding
up the return of the American ship George washington
to a French port, an act which was Interpreted as a
threat that If an agreement were not reached promptly
on the important matters which were holding up the
work. the American delegation would be withdrawn from
the conference, and the United States would proceed on
its own account and in it's own way in the matter Of fur
ther peace negotiations.
There is no evidence that Mr.. Wilson made any such
statement, or any statement at all on this subject. But
It is a fact that the Interpretation indicated was placed
on his action. both in press dispatches sent to the United
States and in the Paris press. The Paris paper Matin
was frank enough to refer to the incident as an attempt
at blackmail. And it is also a fact that, whether because
Of the implied threat or for some other reason. there
was an Immediate acceleration Of the work at the con-
ference. and some Of the more important obstacles which
were in the Way have been renaoved.
=
One of the sticking points was the disposition of the
German portion of the saar valley, containing the chief
coal supplies available for either France or Germany
now that the Lens mines have been put out Of Commits
sion by German vandalism. According to the plan now
agreed on the saar valley is to remain under the political
control Of the league OF nations for a period OF Is years.
through which the inhabitants will determine their own
political destiny. France is to be given economic control
Of the region until she has been fully recompensed for
the losses sustained in> the Leas district. Three things
are thus accomplished. Provision is made for the repair
alton of the damage done to the coal fields Of France;
the menace which there would be in the exclusive con-
troll of these great coal supplies by Germany is avoided;
and In the provision for temporary international control
of the district and the ultimate decision by the people
ofsstheir own political status, there is avoided the creation
of what would almost certainly. be 4 Source " future
contention. With this difficulty removed, and with the
principle involved in the settlement accepted, ii seems
likely that the-treatment Of the lower Rhine provinces
can be arranged on a basis which will insure the safety
Of France, and which will at the same time involve no
,forcible annexation Of alien territory and alien popula-
tons. @ -
The council has agreed on the incorporation in the
constitution of the league of nations Of a clause giving
formal recognition to the principle Of the Monroe doc.
triie. Such a provision has been urged or approved by
many people in the United States for various reasons.
Those who are opposed to any league of nations on any
basis, have made the absence of a clause applying to the
Monroe doctrine one of the grounds for a sweeping con-
domination Of the principle in general, and of thu first
draft Of the constitution in particular. These DIRECTORS,
Of course, will not be satisfied or silenced no matter in
Whist manner their objection has been met, but will shift
their attack to some other point. Then there are men
o. character. like Root and Lodge, who, while in favor
ofstne general principle of the league. believe that the
omission Of a provision safeguarding the Monroe doctrine
would be a serious and dangerous defect, and who urged
tina making Of such a provision in good faith and for the
purpose Of perfecting the compact. Then we have
another group Of whom, aside from President Wilson.
former President Taft is the most conspicuous representa-
tive. who hold that instead of menacing the Monroe doc
strine. the league constitution as drafted makes its basic
Drihciple Of universal application, ana that, therefore,
no further mention of the doctrine is necessary. These
mss, however, have approved the specific recognition
OF this principle. not as . vital thing, but as a concession
to ssthe demands which existed for it. .
Following the practical settlement of these questions
II swas stated that the council would take up the Japan.
ess situation. Earlier during the conference the japanese
delegates made known their desire for a clause IN the
Isague constitution recognising the racial equality Of the
member nations, and guaranteeing that no member
@shquid discriminate against the nationals Of any other
#dnz ne ground OF race. Whatever might be. the attitude
0f the European powers on this question, assent to such
q troposaion would not be given by the United States
sHurXthe British Dominican. as 1t would mean that they
Xah4Hdoned the right to confine their immigration to such
IlSes u tthsy might consider desirable. Specifically. it
wouId render It impossible for any Of these countries to
Japanese immigration on a basis dineAent from
'ssIhat from other countries.
sSMSesss /. : SO
1seinS the hopelessness Of their position. the Japan-
sAtssatess are reported to have modifsd their a.
sS63n(S ma - hive couehsd then, in = FORM which. Il
G5A5teH alleged would meAsufably satisfy thsr national
1ssNnhcut a6ectihs me ntrol~hxsoths nntiona 81
ASgga domestic koHcy. The matter = 4 deiisats one.
3ssnsansr u which II anscss the United states i
6lllS1si g. \ dispateh rscsntiy sept 81 sserstary sLAnsnx
1Ivve.l1sds q calisorniaa askinsE tAstse.stAtnS ,ssis-
asgse 81 Sc status 2, fAseasss q c.liforni.