Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-12-31

@ EVENTS OF A WEEK. F~ |
The arms conference at Washington has been
sailing through choppy waters during the past
week, and the going is not yet smooth. Agree
llents in principle having been reached on the ton
mage in capital ships to be retained by the five great
powers. attention was directed to the submarine.
The argument of Mr.. Balfour for the abolition of
the submarine as a war engine was heard atten~
lively, and profound appreciation was expressed by
all the delegates. In only the case of the United
States, however, did it appear that there was any
likelihood of agreement on the plan proposed.
There was no formal statement from the United
States that the abolition of the submarine would be
approved here, but there was no occasion for it, as
1t was known IN advance that there could be no
general agreement on this basis.
AS the next step in the negotiations the United
States proposed a program of severe reduction in
this naval arm. After considerable discussion that
basis was fatty rejected by France. and there was
made known the purpose OF the French government
to increase French submarine strength very ma
tsrially. In view of this attitude efforts to obtain
All .agreement on submarine strength were ,aban-
doued, and 9they are not likely to be resumed at
this conference.
Actual progress has been made, however, even
in relation to the submarine. Virtual agreement
appears to have been reached on the limitation OF
the size of submarines to 10000 tons. as we'll as on
the limitation Of the size of guns which may be
carried on auxiliary craft. At this time French
dSSCul Id y DCCll given, put. II FIcHCQ Qcie-j
gates indicate the probability that their govern
1nent will agree. For the American delegation
Elit1u Root presented resolutions which, if accept.
ed, give promise of modifying very materially the
use Of the submarine. The first resolution is a re-
statement, with some strengthening clauses, Of the
existing international law requiring submarines, as
we'll as surface vessels. to observe the rules relat-
ing to visit and search in overhauling merchant
vessels, and requiring precautions to be taken for
the safety of neutral and non-combatant passengers.
To this all fhe 0o1yerS ranracenfe1 at fhe cnrfer-
ence will subscribe, and the adherence OF all other
nations will be invited. The other resolution goes
further. It prohibits entirely the use of the sub
marine against merchant vessels. and there is an
agree to observe this prohibition as among them
selves, and that an effort will be made to extend
its acceptance to all the civilized powers Of the
world.
Failure to reach an agreement which would
materially reduce submarine tonnage is to be re-
GREETED, but there is still prospect that the actual
achievements of the conference will be more than
worth while. One significant thing has occurred
in the course of the discussions. The i~nsistence of
the French on the retention of more than what was
regarded as their appropriate naval strength,
coupled with the easily understood desire to main
tain for some time the largest army in the world,
has resulted in an unusually frank expression from
several OF the delegates, as well as from the press.
The head Of the French delegation has protested
that the position and purposes Of France were be-
ing misunderstood, and has indicated great con-
Germ over this fact. Without regard to the specific
items under consideration, the French protest fur
nis1ed an impressive demonstration that interna-
tlonal relations are now on such a basis that no ma
ton can afford to forfeit the good will of it's neigh
bors.
Lively interest is felt in the session of the Dali
Eireann which is set for next Tuesday, and at which
tInai action on the treaty establishing a dominion
form OF government in south Ireland will be the
principal business. There has been a tacit under
standing that the holiday season was not to be used
by either side tor purposes of public propaganda.
and this arrangement seems to have been faithfully
observed Nevertheless, there has been a general
expresSlo1 OF sentiment which .rnust have it's effect
on the votes which will be cast when the Dali
/ meets. From county after county have come Pc
tIFtions urging the acceptance Of the treaty, and thus
fsr no public gathering has gone on record in sup
port Ct rejection. = a5%- -
It has been pointed out that under the terms
of ths treaty acceptance, which is now universally
expecated, does not rest formally with the Dali. The
body whose acceptance is necessary is the parlia.
HleMf OF southern Ireland, to which members were
elected months ago, coincidentally with the cleo
ton sof members to the Ulster parliament. The
southern parliament, whose members with some
ftar exceptions, are Sim Feiners, have never met,
ut # q recognized by the British government as
taME Otfcial body to pass on the pending treaty. The
personnel differs but slightly from that Of the Dali,
HENCE Il j. expected that following the recomrnen-
dGfjon4 which is expected to be made BY the Dali,
fheodicial parliament will meet and ratihfy in 4 for
The liberation Of Eugene Debs from prison,
S6aloMsd ~ biz visit 81 tis president, public adj
EH1SsnNS# toMis, Taerre Hante, has prompted volume
llll61nraaae and