Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-04-30
EyENrs OF A,wEEk,

VENTS OF A'WEEK.
The week just closed has brought the subject Of Ger
man reparations right up to tho critical, point, and it is
practically certain that there will have been important
and final developments before there has been time for the
publication of any comment written at this time. Follow
Ing the prompt and decisive refusal Of President Harding
to act as umpire in the controversy between Germany and
the Allies, and the expression of willingness by Secretary
Hughes to transmit to the Allies in a manner acceptable
to them any further offer by Germany which might be
made the basis of negotiations, the German government
made another offer in which the money payment rendered
far exceeded anything heretofore emanatins from Ger
man quarters. and far exceeding the greatest Gums which
German authorities have declared Germany even remotely
able to pay. "
X X * X Y
The money payment provided for by the reparations
commission is 22S billion gold marks, this including both
the principal and the interest on deferred payments ex-
tending over a period of AZ years. This was rejected IN
tremendously by the German authorities as a ridiculous
imposzibility. Until the past week the highest offer made
by Germany was about half the sum demanded, and this
smaller sum was said to be the very limit Of the posi-
biities. The more recent offer of Germany is of 200 bill
lion marks. only a slight reduction from the sum de-
manded. and nearly double what the German officials
had declared to be the limit of her ability to pay.
y 4 X Y x
The apparently liberal money offer. however, was
cumbered. with conditions which made the entire offer
complicated and involved, and as one of the conditions
it was prescribed that Allied forces be with
drawn from all the occupied portions of Germany.
There has been no prospect that this offer
would either be accepted or would be considered a proper
basis for further negotiations. At this writing the only
thing which it seems can possibly prevent the occupation
of the entire Ruhr district by French troops is the inne-
diate payment of a substantial sum in cash, with enec-
tive guarantees for further settlements. It
X 4 X y K
Everywhere the Interpretation has been placed on
the German correspondence with the United States that
it was intended for the double purpose Of delaying settle
ment and Of creating a breach between the United States
and the Allies. In neither case has it succeeded. Instead,
it appears to have had an opposite effect in. both cases
It has drawn from the United States government the dec
laratlon that it stands with the Allies In the matter Of
separations, and has thus tended to orinG these two
groups more closely together. And the tact that Germany
has assumed a yielding attitude, after all her intractab1l-
ity. Just on the eve of the occupation Of more OF her tar
ritory by foreign forces has confirmed the opinion that
the only way to obtain from her anything like sattsfac-
tory settlement was to convince her that she would yield
to force and to nothing else. Therefore the plans for
the occupation of her most valuable industrial district
have proceeded without interruption, and, failing imme-
date settlement, are likely to be carried out
i \ X X + q,
In connection with the discussions between the Brit:
ish and French governments the latter has been the more
insastent on a policy of coercion toward Germany ou1
whatever opposition there has been from English sources
seems to have subsidized, and France seems to have the un-
qualified support of her ally i'll her present position. In
the French chamber of deputies the BRAND adn1inistra-
ton was recently given a vote Of confidence and was IN
structed to proceed practically with a free hand. ana IN
Great Britain the support given the french mas o eeh
e.bated by the. complications arising from tn, coal strike
which still remains unsettled.
X X X X +
E@ LII Lie SIC tS IAAOA PS~S iO~HNS"
has been debated in the senate, but no date for a vote has
at this time been set, The character of the debate thus
far indicates the possibility Of amendments being rather
vigorously pressed.
The senate has passed the budget bill. and the pas-
sage of the bill by a large majority In the house Is pre-
dieted This is in amended form the bill passed by the
lat congress and vetoed by President Wilson because OF
certain features which he found unacceptable. These
features have been eliminated, and the bill when passed
Is expected to receive the approval Of the president
49,
In the house the naval appropriations bll, carrying
. total of practically four hundred millions, was passed
by q vote Of e2 to Is, although there, had been some
spirited exchanges before the vote was reached. There
was practically no opposition to making adequate prov-
sion for the navy, but a fight had been made on appro-
priatons so large at the present time. One group
urged strongly that the~buldine program be suspended
pending the result of efforts to obtain an international
agreement on disarmament. but every amendment max
ing building conditional was voted down, one view pre-.
sented with considerable force being that the country
would be in better condition to make concessions In the
way of reduction with its program already well under
way.
Indications OF opposition to the army aerroprtahen
Of $851,o06, 900 have cropped out, The bill In it, pres
ent form provides for an increase of about 10000 rnsn
IN the army personnel over the $4,000 now provided
ID, and there Is = strong element in favor Of keeping the
force down To the lower figure.
\ \ + = ~
while the naval appropriations ware under discus
an President Harding was reviewing the Atlantic divt
$ Ann OF the fleet at Hampton Roads. this being the frs
emit of the hind in which he has participated sine.
taAtnx once. The display OF naval strensth was an I'm.
one, and In hia remarks the president ernphadzet
sths tnpoetAnce Of maintaining . navy Of adequate DR.
aA kesptag II = first elals condition.
Mnrkhusetsrn people viii generally be- pleased With
tkIa asctaon. 81 the interstaAs eornmsres co.amassion grant
- Shs#p % the railroads running from the co..
6gSAasf - ne Greet lakes ports for permission to reduc
sSfS11o.on ssoft coal7t cents per ton. This - tntendad Il
eeS1anasxs shipnpspts and tho reduction should u rsnsct
6Sssxhs ppsics ~ col delivered u the ssnssaer. stock