Great Falls tribune., 1921-12-25

IL
other words, arc
we as dead as the Roman world was
during the latter days of Caesar? 1t
is not that the roultitude of events,
whirling cinemalike before our eyes,
blunts our powers of perception SO
that we do not see the Importance of
happenings about US?
1t is true that hundreds of thousands
are starving in the valley of Eolga
Hordes of orphans wander. seeking
food like wild dogs, fighting in the vii
lage streets over the flesh of dead
bodies. We read ali of this with a sigh
and turn the page.
The published correspondence be-
tween the exkaiser and Field Marshal
Won Hindenberg revolts nine-tenths of
man who finds pleasure in such heap
of untruths and calumnies are capable
of improvement and unworthy of pity
Millions of Germans turn away. almost
with physical disgust, from this
wretched cunning REPETITION of lies re-
pudiated a thousand fold.
World Power in America
But are the ugly spots in the world
picture the most important? Great
things are happening. The center of
the worlds history has movd west. Be-
tween the Atlantic and the Pacific to-
day stands the world power held for
centuries by the Mediterranean lands.
Its order cancels treaties and makes
laws for people in the depths of Asia
and the northern parts of Europe
laws which are no longer based on ma
tional greed ~and thirst for power.
Three great powers agree to pro-
gram lessening the tax burden as well
Bs the danger of war.
After seven centuries of bloody
strife and injustice Anglo Irish dis
putes at last seem to be on the high
road to settlement. Remembering the
house of lords hard rejection of Mr..
Asquith's "home rule" project in 1913,
one can well appreciate Englands de-
sire today for an understanding In all
things with the United States.
So, during the last months of 1921,
more has been done for world pacifica-
ton, more has been done for civiliza-
ton than in many centuries. 1t is true
much is left Even the most casual
look around saddens the observer Row-
ever much of misery is hidden beneath
the roll of unemployed in the United
States and England, in Switzerland and
Holland. Germany. although she has
produced twice as much coal this year
as in 1913 and has gwen employment
TO everybody free of military service,
nevertheless is obliged to declare she
cannot pay the next billion dollars of
reparation money.
Suggest Economic Conference
But this was expected. Despite her
industry, Germany has attained but GO
per cent of her pre-war expectation.
Whence then can she draw the strength.
continual payment of such huge sums?
Our war adversaries are competing
with our metal, chemical, and textile
industries and no country from the
Rhine to the Black Sea. from Lake
Constance to Siberia, can buy even
bare necessities with money of inter
national value.
Only non-poltical conference of
world economists can solve this great
est of all problems of the day.
But all of our distress and worry
must not blind our eyes to the splen
dor Of the star which led the eastern
kings to the manger, nor deafen our
ears to the shepherds hymn on the
field of Bethlehem. Humanity indeed,
has taken a step forward. Again a
child is born. 1t moves gently from its
manrer. Seldom has humanity been
able to look at Christmastide with
more hope of world betterment than
is promised by the present peace on
earth.