Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-09-17
EVENTS OF A WEEK.

OF tneslflSn dispute through the conference which
the British premier proposed should be held at In
verness on September 20, the situation remains as
clouded and unsatisfactory IS ever. as all arrange
ments for the conference have been Cancelled. Since
the exchange Of verbal and written communication
between the British administration and the Sim
Fem leaders began Lloyd George has at all times
emphasized the fact that ireland must be considered
a part of the British empire, and that the govern
ment could enter into no negotiations on any otter
basis. That attitude has beep stated over and over
again 50 that there has been no possibility Of mis-
constituting or misunderstanding it.
The Sim Fem leaders, with this condition fire.
quently and clearly stated, have written and con-
ferred, but in all their communications they have IN
sisted On. the one point which they had been notified
that the government would under no circumstances
concede or consider, namely, the separate and indie
pendent sovereignty of Ireland. In the note of a
week ago from his retreat in Scotland Lloyd George
suggested the discontinuance of further correspond
ence, and invited the Sim Fem leaders to a personal
conference for the purpose of ascertaining how Ire
lands membership in the British commonwealth
could best be reconciled with her national aspira-
tons. Every subject save one was left open, and
that, lrelands membership in the empire, had at all
times been closed, SO far as the British government
was concerned. Nevertheless, with this single con-
dition definitely and irrevocably stated, the Sim
Fem leaders declared their willingness to attend the
proposed conference, and appointed delegates for
that purpose, but reiterated their declaration Of
Irish separation and absolute independence.
The character Of the effort which the British
premier and his advisers have made to reach an
amicable settlement is shown by the fact that when
This reply was received, Lloyd George, recognizing
the impossibility of proceeding on that basis, in
stead of publishing the Sim Fein note and reject
ing its proposals, asked that it be amended so as to
make acceptance possible, and offered to treat it for
the time being as not having been received. Amend
& cnon% ru,ac rof,,eol ap1N Al Boo1,, ~o~nsk1>r >>..>a> 80
been taken, namely, the cancellation Of all arrange
rnents for the conference. There the matter stands.
The premier will confer with his colleagues as to
what step shallNnext be taken. In the meantime,
ne is in the hands Of a physician, suffering from q
chill and other complications, OF which anxiety over
the Irish situation is doubtless not the least. At
this stage Of the proceedings it is we'll to remember
that, as Lloyd George has pointed out, since the be-
ginning OF the negotiations, all the advances and all
The concessions have been made by the govern
rlent. The Sim Fem leaders have taken not a
single step in the direction of the compromise which
u 50 necessary if there is to be a real settlement.
The assembly of the League of Nations, in ses-
sion at Geneva, has, among other things, elected
eleven judges of the international court, one of these
being John Bassett Moore, a distinguished Ameri-
can lawyer and publicist. Had it not been for his
decliration Elihu Root would undoubtedly have
been elected as a member of the court, as there was
very general desire that he serve. Appealed to for
a reversal of his earlier decision not to be a candi-
date Mr.. Root sent a definite refusal on the ground
that his age made it impossible for him to consider
such 4 position.
In connection with the sessions Of the assembly
there has been much discussion of the attitude Of
the limited States. While progress is being made
IN the work of the league, it is apparent that the abb
sence OF q nation 50 important as the United States
is seriously felt. There has been gossip concerning
the possibility Of the withdrawal of the western re-