Grand Forks herald., 1921-12-17
SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER II. 1921.
EVENTS OF A WEEK.

Z,
EVENTS OF WEEK.
In the armament conference at Washington
agreement has been reached on the naval balance
Of the three great naval powers The proposal sub
itted at the beginning of the conference by Secre
tary Hughes has been accepted without any i'm
portant change, and without any change other than
the substitution Of certain vessels for certain 9th
ers resulting in slight increase in the naval ar
nanent to be retained by each of the three powers.
In the modified alignment the proportion of 5-5-3
for the United States, Great Britain and Japan
spectively, has been adhered to strictly. The
status of France and Italy has not been determined
and it is likely that the naval strength of these two
countries will be dealt with separately France, it
is reported wishes to be assigned strength equal
to that Of Japan, and it is assumed that Italy will
ask for similar status.
The completion OF the pact naval strength
marks one very important step in the proceedings
OF the conference. Another is the arrangement of
the four-power treaty whereby Great Britain, the
United States, France and Japan agree to respect
each others insular possessions in the Pacific, and
consult measures to be taken should the in
terests Of either be threatened from without The
terms Of this treaty, which will very soon have to
be passed by the senate of the United States and
by the proper parliamentary bodies in the other
countries, have attracted attention to the terms OF
the covenant of the League of Nations, and espe-
ciay to Article K, which was SO strenuousy op-
posed here. The new treaty involves only four
great powers, instead of the entire membership of
the League of Nations, and deals with restricted
territory rather than with territorial possessions in
general. But within its scope, it's provisions
amount in substance to those Of the League cove
nart, and this account it is certain that, while
ratification deemed probable, the treaty will have
to run the ganut of some fierce opposition in the
senate. Senator LaFollette has declared his oppo-
sition. Senator Reed has unlimbered his big guns
and gone into action against it. Senator Borah is
as irreconciiable ever. Others of the irrecon-
cia1iable group are yet to be heard from.
4 separate agreement has been reached with
reference to the island of zap. The settlement of
the controversy with reference to control over this
island will be relief to all the powers concerned.
The United States refused to recognize the agree
ment transferring the island to Japan, she had
not been party to it, and in the agreement which
has now been effected every element likely to lean
to future controversy has been removed. Japan is
to retain possession of the island and to be respon-
sible for the administration of its affairs. The
United States, however, is to have full cable and
radio rights using the Japanese facilities suit
able terms so long these are adequate for her
needs and being at liberty to construct such inde-
pendent stations she may need in the future.
"'f.s@ st%a - y, ty.
The rapid and remarkably satisfactory progress
made at the conference in dealing with the affairs of
the Far East has been halted by difficulties which
arranged tc give effect and application to the ia
nous twenty -onc demands of Japan, and with ref
erence to certain details involving the Shantung
rangement. There is no hint that these difficulties
will not yield to treatment but for the time being
the claims and proposals Of the two chief parties
are undergoing careful inspection.
The plan for the Inauguration of the dominion
system of government in Ireland formulated at the
London conference, and agreed upon by the British
majority in both houses of parliament at Friday IS
session. At no time has it been considered even
remotely probable that the agreement would not be
ratified. but there some question as to the size
Of the opposing vote All spirit was taken out of
the opposition by the address Of Bonar Law advis.
ing ratification. There had been a quite general
expectation that Bonar Law. having been strenu-
Gus Unionist, in the past opposing much less
sweeping form Of home rule for Ireland, would
stand out with his former associates against the
ratification OF this treaty. His acceptance of the
plan, and his action in urging acceptance on the
house deprived the brief debate Of any further in
terest.
The Dali Eireann has held several closed ses-
sions tor consideration Of the treaty and at this
before some time in the coming week Arrange
nents had been made for an open session on Satur-
day, at which it was thought possible that vote
might Be reached, bat At this time this is doubtful
+ No change a. the general opinion that the
treaty will be accepted. but there is sharp conflict
between the two sides. Each Is anxious to place
its yicws before the public and the effort
appears 10 be to reach some basis on which the
treaty may Be approved without what appears to be
arepudisticn of the leadership of De Valera Pend
ing action BY the Dali Eiresnn the British parla-
lilent remain n session but there was no con
sideratioI 81 The possibiI of deferrng ae-
stion until tle Irish body hsd gone Oh record The
aaroancsps of NE purpose to pro