Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-02-07
EVENTS OF A WEEK.

Ss EVENTS OF A WEEK.
THE presentation of the Allied de-
Srnnsund for the surrender for trial OF
nearly 800 Germans charged with war
pirftnnaes, in the opinion of many editors
VIII test the real value OF the peace
tfSAty. The list Of names OF persons
whose surrender is demanded was
handed early in the week to Baron
Iersner, German envoy at Paris
md was by him returned with the
statement that he could not become
q party to the granting of this de-
mand. He wired his resignation to
his home government and returned
Immediately to Berlin. The list how
aver, has been transmitted to the
German government whose reply is
that the carrying out Of its terms is
physically impossible.
u The surrender of such persons
forms a part of the peace treaty
which has been accepted by Germany
and which is now in operation The
German authorities knew what they
were signing, and, while the opinion
was freely expressed that the terms
were severe, there was no suggestion
that they could not be carried out.
There has been no change in the sit
;uation since the signing of the treaty,
and the suggestion is nov made that
lie the Germans are at liberty to re-
fuse compliance with one part of the
treaty on the ground. that compli-
1ance is impossible, they are quite
likely to find insuperable obstacles to
the performance of any other agree
fment which may interfere with their
convenience or lacerate their feel
iinge. There has at no time been
unanimity Of opinion as to the Wis
dom Of the plan for the trial of the
former kaiser and his subordinates.
Since the. agreement was made there
has been some feeling expressed that
this condition might we'll be waived.
But now that the demand has been
made in due form, It cannot be aban-
doned without weakening the whole
treaty and reducing it to the status
OF other heaties with Germany, that
Ola scrap Of paper.
In the United States senate no fur
Their stops have been taken in rela-
.tion to the peace treaty except that
an understanding has practically been
reached that.fhs treaty will be called
up for further discussion in the open
senate early In tho coming week. En-
forts were made to reach an agree
msut limiting tho lensth Of speeches
under q o3eeure rule, but the present
Wpset il that the discussion will be-
Yin without special rule, and that nc
limits viii be placed on the volume
;ofytah.
Considerable space has been given
In tho press to statements made in
England by Lord Grey after his re.
sturn from Washington, the genera
tenor Of these statements being thai
the adoption Of reservations simila,
b substance to most Of those nov
under consideration in Washington
need not be a bar to the entrance OF
tho United States into the League Of
tNetionA Generally this seems tt
hGye strengthened the position Of al
raservationists except those Of thu
most extreme group. There is sale
. be irritation over the statement il
presidential circles, where the feel
ing is said to be that Lord Gre,
ought not to have expressed himself
in this manner without first com
m~unicatins with the American admin
istration. Senator Borah, who is op
posed TO a League Of Nations on an,
terms, finds in the Grey statement
additional reason why the leaEu.
should be discarded. He argues tina
willingness OF the other powers to nc
cspt the United States with reserva,
tions indicates that the other power,
do not regard reservations Of any sor
Is OF any consequence. and that wha
they desire fs that the United State
ehail Join, on any terms, and thu,
Place herself in their power. To mos
readers Mr.. Borah's argument viii
p more Interesting than convincing
Some progress in the handing .
\ railway bill has been made b.
the Joint conferences committee +
which the senate and house bills wer
referred. The committee has decid
N % rscommend the elimination Q
the provisions prohibiting strikes
Tor compulsory consolidation, and 70
the creation Of = transportation con,
nfaaon, all of which are features q
tse cusnnins bin passed BY he sen
-. The hosse provision perrnittin
REPRESENTATIONS under r~sEulations il re
tatnsd. and the duties which wei
y ~ performed BY the transports
q oomMdasaon ara imposed on til
aatefstS4e commerce cosnmistcn.
Ihere has been : shiftinx Of cah
inst posauons due to the resienatio
caetSr Giatn1sy secretary Of til
10 take His ssat IN the sen
Secretary Houston il tran,
tESfrod from ths dspartuasnt Of m,
I Saitsrs I the trsasssy department
sGe1 II is succssdeA ~ Edwin j
ls1ita. pspassher = an Isva I'M
EA1SH1g4 No.