Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-03-25
PAY OR BE PENAIIZED.


No humane person wishes to see a debtor bounded to
death. or to see an honest debtor who is doing his best
refused every possible indulgence. But Germany is not an
honest debtor, and she is not doing her best to discharge
her obligations. She has never done her best. She has
uniformly pursued a policy of representation and evasion,
and has sought deliberately to fritter away time in useless
discussion Of things that ought to have been considered
There was q good deal of doubt as to what the course
OF the Allies would be when the German government re-
fused to accept the decision of the reparations commission
and failed to make counter proposals which reasonable
men could consider. The Allies have been very tolerant
in the matter Of these settlements. They have waited,
and argued, until it began to be suspected that the Ger
mans were to have their way, after all, and were to escape
the making Of reparations Of any kind or in any amount.
There is no doubt that the Allies had difficulty in
agreeing on a program France was the most Immediately
and intensely interested in that group of powers. She had
the most At stake. Her government stood out for firm
measures. The other governments were inclined to be
more yielding: But the conferences at Paris and London
developed a unanimity among the Allies, aud it became
apparent that the time had come when Germany must do
some settling.
Whether the German authorities were too dense to
see this or were willing for reasons of their own to let
events take their course does- not appear. AT any rate
they persisted in their refusal, and the Allies promptly
applied the penalties which they had threatened. Their
troops are now in charge Of one of Germany's most i'm
portant industrial centers. Germany has again refused to
meet, or to attempt to meet, a further condition which
was laid down, and she has been informed that il she
has not complied by the expiration Of the time of grace
further penalties will be exacted.
The Allies have evidently set out 10 carry forward a
program carefully prepared and unanimously agreed upon.
Having started on this course they must continue. TO
waver now would be to prejudice their entire case. 1t il
more than likely that the Germans still hope that they
will find 4 flaw in the Allied harmony which will enable
them to render the entire program futile.
The extra session Of congress which will begin on
April II is likely to last right up to the time Of the resu.
lar session in December. The members will earn their sal.
aries this year If they are capable Of earning it at all,
.
The fact that Lady Astor ran down a man who had
threatened to kill her, and kept after him until he wa.
legislative position, but it is a safe bet that it would win
her votes II she had another election ahead of her.
representatives of railroad and labor interests at the
Chicago hearing are having an animated debate, but the,
do not seem to be getting anywhere in particular.
deal with Soviet Russia. This tends to confirm our forme,
opinion Of Hoover's good sense.
The independents are united in the opinion that tn.
industrial commission ought to be recalled. Their onl3
point of division il on the wisdom Of particular methods
It begins to look ~ though Germany must IA,
through the npss. IL she will not pay any othar way.
Although former Premier vlviaut is merely aroppin,
in for q friendly call, he will not be peevish. If. he i
slipped 4 tip on the attitude Of the United states towardl
the League Of Natioua !
DerHbrt Smith, the Northern Pacific mail robbsr. Il
the latest sinner to follow the example set by Adam, an<
blame 1t on the woman. 4
T. W. Cairo. manager, Of the Bank of North Dakota
hs finally arrived at the profound conclusion that 9TH.
present situation ia intolerable." That's what the rnde
pendents have been saying for several months past.
The yCommunist near revolution in Germany is al
interesting commentary on Lenine's promises in his pes
for a resumption Of trade relations with the civilized
lsectioni Of the world.
The league press Is more excited over Harry Dunbar,
arrest Of a bootlesger than over Attorney GeneAal Ian
gers arrest Of 4 man who murdered an entire family
However. bootiegsers come high under the new law.
cAyauAr and Psmbina ceuntles ssara to be keepin,
up the standard they ses at the last electioh.s