Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-07-16

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SATURDAY EVENING, JULY le, 1921.
s& EVENTS OF A WEEK.
The Irish situation continues to be-the most
interesting thing in the news dispatches, especially
wherever the English language is spoken. For, the
flrst time in many years there is a real prospect Of
and for the first time such prospect as exists
grows brighter with the passage Of the hours. In
pursuance of the invitation issued several days ago
Eamonn De Valera, head Of the Sim Fein element,
has been in London in conference with Premier
Lloyd George, their meeting having been. preceded
by the truce in Ireland which has thus far been OBJ
served BY both sides with scrupulous care.
The conferences thus far held have been pre-
iirainary, informal and private. At some Of, all Of
the meetings there were present but two persons,
the British premier and the head of the Irish inde-
Pendents. These meetings have not been for the
purpose of arranging for the future of Ireland, but
OF reaching, as far as possible, a mutual understand
ing, and of arranging the conditions and manner Of
{. a subsequent conference at which the real subject
matter of the relations Of Ireland and Britain are to
There IS much that is hopeful in what has oc-
Cured thus far. After the several meetings both
the British premier and the Irish leader have ex-
pressed Conscience that a satisfactory result would
be reached. The preliminary conferences have
been quite lacking in form. The two men have
met and visited. The privacy and informality of
the meetings have precluded anything in the nature
OF an appeal to the emotions of the mass. No
statement OF demands on either side has been made
by the representative of either party, hence there
IS at present nothing in connection with the confer
ences which can be made the excuse for public
controversy. And the evident earnestness Of the
chief actors in this intensely interesting drama is
supported by equal earnestness on the part Of the
public in both England and Ireland in the achieve
ment Of a settlement which, will forever remove
such causes Of dissension IS have existed these
many years.
Cordial replies have been received from ali the
nations invited by President Harding to participate
IN q conference on reduction of armament, and
with the exception of Japan all the nations ad-
in the subjects discussed the adjustment of affairs
on the Pacific. The japanese attitude on this
phase is that to increase the number of subjects
would be to impair the prospect of securing con-
structve action on disarmament. Opinion in
Washington seems to be that the Japanese will
ultimately agree to a conference the subjects Of
which are not definitely limited l. in advance but are
LET to be arrangedsby the conference itself.
The question Of inter-allied indebtedness has
again come to the front in congressional debate.
In the course of the debate the text of a letter on
the subject written by Premier Lloyd George to
President Wilson last year was printed in the Rec
ord. The substance Of this letter has long been
familiar, It refers to the general financial condi-
ton OF Europe and to the importance of placing the
German reparations indebtedness on a definite ba-
Sis. AS one step in this direction the suggestion
had come from France that that country. could not
accept less than the sums to which it was entitled
under the reparations terms unless it were compen-
stated by the cancellation of a corresponding part
Of its own indebtedness. This seemed fair to the
British government, but it was pointed out that the
British public would not be satisfied to cancel debts
owed to it by other countries except as a part of a
general plan of cancellation. The subject was not
pressed, however, and the difficulties in the way Of
consideration at that time were freely admitted.
The subject was brought up in the senate in the
course OF a debate on the proposal that practically
unlimited powers in reference to the funding of In
rs transitional Indebtedness be conferred on the secre-
taEy ct the treasury.
Acting on the suggestion Of the president, the
senate has Te-comrnitted to the finance
the soldiers bonus bill. The request for recon-
INITIAL was presented by the president IN person.
The reason advanced was that under the present
eonditlons, when the cutting DOWN Of expenses IN
every department of government is recognized as
necessary in order to reduce taxation which IL felt
oppressive, the assumption by the govern
s..nsent Of additional obligations Of I'VE billion dollars
#yWould be entirely unwarranted, would impose :
sadisasuous check on every form Of industry. md,
sanOng other things. would injnre the very men
NIaacr1 # S. proposed to benefit. The president
SAuEEed that sfurther consideration Of the pending
bjlt be postponed by its recomrnittal To- The com.
Esmaittee, and that every effort IS made 70 enact in
skNAedistely legislation which will provide adequately
Nfox these returned soldiers who became incapacitaf-
y their service il the war
a ~ general tariff Bill Is Being rushed 4hroseh
Sx16eS hoouse. Under : rule adopted BY aimost ! strict
g1FEY .ycte, the main debate has been closed. and
limited debate on amendments, lie 6nalsyote
83< 81 bs sfzaen on Jlly q: The speed with which
Sf1rs hcnse dos not necessarily iud;csse Sessiy
8 x1H s The bill Will - in1rnedsatefy IS IL -.