Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-09-24
EVENTS or A WEEK.

EVENTS OF a WEEK.
Thessone visible net result Of the Irish negotia-
tions thus far is the continuation OF the truce. En-
phasis has been placed on the importance Of an
early settlement, and Of the danger Of prolonging
the preliminary discussion. While that danger is
to be recognized, it is apparent that it must be off
set in a measure by the lengthening out Of the period
of peace in southern Ireland, a condition which
makes possible the resumption Of industry and the
prosecution of work Of all kinds which was SO scri-
ously impeded by the disturbed conditions Of the
past. 1t is evident that the longer this state con-
ntiintfes the more difficult will it be to resume the
xsconditinnso Of violence and insecurity which has pre-
vailed for the past severalyears.
sfSsEssEsss i *s4 = @4#
Several kilograms have been exchanged be-
tween Premier Lloyd George and De Valera With
out, apparently, bringing the proposed conference
ANY nearer. The premier remains firm in his re-
fusal to treat with the Sim Fein leaders as the rep
resentatives of a foreign state. The messages of
De Valera have insisted that he and his associates
occupy this status, but there is sufficient ambiguity
in the. forms of statement to permit several interpre-
tations. The generally expressed opinion is that
there winEbe a conference in the near future, and
that De Valera and his associates will be content
with "self-recognition" Of their foreign and indie
pendent status without insisting that this status be
recognized by those with whom they confer.
New interest was given to the Russian situa-
@IIOHHDy the QlSpdICH VI d QcClucQly pCppcIy CONl-I
B munication from the British government to the
Soviet government at Moscow demanding an exc
splanation of the Soviet activities in the far east,
where, it is asserted, enissaries from Moscow have
been industrio,isly fomenting trouble for the British
in Persia and Afghanistan. The Soviet government
has not been formally recognized by Great Britain,
but a step was made in that direction when Great
Britain entered into trade relations with the Mos
COW cabal. One Of the conditions prescribed when
that greement was made was that Lenine and his
#-rra.%.&.lo,1J o6e$1:, fr1~. oS% - u onss 81 ..x..
The Soviet government has shown in this
case the same disregard for its promises that has
characterized its entire history. The moral of the
situation may be stated in the terms of the old adj
age which says that he who sups with the devil
needs a long spoon.
Hungary, having separated itself from its for
.ner partner, Austria, is itself called on to deal with
e separation problem. An insurrectionary move
ment started some time ago in Burgenland has
notwithstanding proportions, and one report dur
ing the past week was that an ndependentsr republic
I has been proclaimed in that territory, with prospects
that it might be strong enough, if not to maintain
itself, at least to make its defeat a costly enterprise.
The report was subsequently denied, but it is adj
mitted that the situation in that section is decidedly
embarrassing.
The assembly Of the League of Nations has ad-
United three Of the new small nations to member
ship. The new members are Esthonia,8 Letvia and
Lithuania, all carved out of territory formerly Rus
sian. Bulgaria is still DESTROYS of membership, but
her plans are blocked for the time by the persistent
opposition of the "1ittle entente" consisting Of the
other Balkan nations which had cause to fear and
distrust Bulgaria.
The treaty of peace between Germany and the
United States has been ratified in Germany, and
awaits similar action in the United States. The
senate foreign relations Committee has recommend
ed ratification of this treaty and also the treaties
with Austria and Hungary. Senator Borah, a
member Of the committee, is firm in his opposition
to- ratification because in the treaties the method
taken to safeguard the interests of the United States
is that of citing various provisions Of the treaty Of
Versailles, a plan which Mr.. Borah thinks IS enter
ing the field Of European politics through the back
door.
One of the worst explosions on record occurred
early IN the week in the great chemical works at
Oppau, q thriving German manufacturing town.
p The extent Of the disaster can only be estimated,
but 1T Is known that more than 900 persons were
killed and that more than 1000 were injured. The
town itself IS practically wiped out, and on the site
ct the factory IS an ENORMOUS crater $50 yards in d-
aneter and one-third as deep This hole is filing viii,
water, and IL is believed that it contains many dead
bodies which will never be recovered. The wreck
Nsgc Is said to he greater than that caused BY any
single explosion during the war, and the ruin IS
described AS being more complete than that of Yer
dun.
After its month"; recess congress reassembled
en "Wednesday, and plunged AZ once into the bust
constellation of the revenue bill p~assedby.the house
jjuNst before Tie recess. There will BE ! lively tlt
oyer several Of the provisions, among Them that &c
tihs time Whensthe repealof the excess profits tax
sshall taks effect 1he original house measure,
shichS provided that this repeal should 81 Yetroac.
xx q sJaahhafys 4 1s2l was amended 4 tfat he e.
6k31 S8s0u1ds not become edectiye until the beginning
a#6f 182&ss The bill went ~ The senate jn this form,