Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-12-24

EVENTS OF A WEEK.
In the proceedings at the arms conference at
Washington several complications have developed
during the week, and while there has been no hint
of recession from the main program Of armament
reduction and of international cooperation in rcla-
ton to affairs in the Far East. progress toward final
agreement has been checked by the development
here and there of special issues on which decisions
must be made. In the making of these decisions
many features, often of an exceedingly technical
character, are to be taken into, account, and while
the main program stands just about where it did a
week ago, the week has been an exceedingly busy
one for all the committees.
There has been more or less vagueness about
the French position, and its presentation has lacked
in clearness. The announcement that France would
stand for a program of increased naval construction
involving the building of one battleship a year for
ten years, was received with a good deal of anxiety.
That attitude, if persisted in, would undoubtedly
have wrecked the conference, for while it might
have been possible for the other three nations to
agree on some approximate ration as among them
selves, there would have been no reduction. On
the contrary. work in the yards Of each power
would Immediately have been spceded up. The
declaration that this plan represented merely the
conception of certain of the French naval experts
AS to what might be desirable, but not the demand
Of the French government, brought a feeling OF re-
lief. France and Italy have now agreed substan-
tally to concur in an arrangement under which the
naval strength in major vessels will be represented
approximately as follows: United States, 5; Great
Britain, 5; Japan, 5: France, ~; Italy, IL.
x x II X
This arrangement is contingent in some meas
ue on the decisions which may be made with refer
cnce to the smaller craft, which are generally con
sidered defensive in character. These include cruis-
ers. destroyers, etc, as we'll as submarines, al
though the latter fall into a special class. France
desires 4 liberal allowance of the lighter vessels,
and while her willingness to accept the proposed
ratio for first class ships has been declared, her au,
thorities are not willing to accept a similar ratio OF
the smaller craft.
The submarine issue is the one which is now
most prominently under consideration. In accord
ance with previous announcement. the British del
egation has formally urged the entire abandonment
of the submarine as a war agency. 1t has been
known that there would be strong opposition to this
plan, and the British delegates have had no expec-
tation that it would be adopted. France. Italy and
Japan are unwilling to accept it, the American del.
cgates reserving their decision. A tentative plan
proposed by Secretary Hughes calls for a slight re
duction in American submarine tonnage, with not
much change elsewhere, this being based on the
american tabulation Of existing tonnage. This
tabulation is not in accord with that of the British
experts. whose figures are lower.
There is little prospect that the submarine will
be outlawed. 1t does seem probable, however, thai
its activities may be decidedly curtailed, at least or
paper. One proposal is that submarine attacks or
merchant vessels of any sort be prohibited, a rule
which, If adhered to. might prevent many of thu
grosser abuses which characterized the German
submarine warfare even when Germany ~professec
TO be trying follow humane methods.
Negotiations between Japan and China have
been devoted to the effort to clear up differences il
relation to Shantung, the particular phase of thu
subject around which the late discussions have. re
VOWED being the disposition of the railway which
runs through that province. In these discussion
there has stood out strongly the desire of the lap
anese to maintain the position OF a creditor natior
toward China. China's offer to pay, in cash for al
OF Japan's interest in the road was declined, II.
Japanese offering to loan money and to extend tn,
time OF payment, the apparent purpose being tt
retain such creditor rights as will warrant Japan il
assuming q sort of guardianship over her neighbor
Embarrassment financial and political influence.
Tn this country the interest in the progress o
the arms conference has been almost. il not quit.
cqualed by interest in the Irish developments. Th,
British parliament having ratified the agrcemen
for the Irish Free State and Ulster having taken
position which makes practically certain her rejec
ton aof participation in the plan, the whole subjce
Eiresnn. In that body the time was consumed ii
debate until Thursday afternoon, when the assem-
bly, adjourned until after the holidays. The debat
was always animated, and often bitter, charges o
bad faith being made freely. It is generally sup
posed that the agreement will be ratified, though
by j rather close vote. The adjournment was pre-
ceded BY i vote on the resolution to remain in ses
sion until a vote was reached. This motion wa
mad6 BY opponents cf ratification, and, while a few
supporters of ratification voted for ii, the division
ton He vote 81 10 ID Al Is therefore regarded q
A faiFly, certain indication of acceptance, though i
Il expeeted that the majority will be ~sraallcr thai
ahiS vote irdicatess