Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-08-13

SATURDAY EVENING. AUGUST Is.
EVENTS OF WEEK.
Last Thursday was a day Of some anxiety for
those who have hoped for satisfactory results from
the several conferences by means of which efforts
are being made to settle differences of long standing
which impede the progress and threaten the peace
unexpected announcement that the British delegates
70 the meeting Of the Allied supreme council at.Paris
were Immediately to return home, and to the diverse
explanations of this movement which were suggest
ed.
= + =
There has along been a marked lack of concord
between France and Great Britain over the Silesian
settlement. Germany and Poland have been rivals
for control of Upper Silesia, and it was arranged
long ago that the inhabitants of that district should
declare their preference in a plebiscite which should
be supervised by the Allied authorities. The pleb-
iscite was held, but the vote, varying as it did in
different localities, was inconclusive. Poland as
sumed an aggressive attitude, armies were organic
ed from among the Polish population of Upper Sile-
STA, and. these were opposed by German troops.
France leaned toward the more extreme claims of
Poland, while Britain opposed them. The situation
was critical and delicate, and has remained so, al
though each crisis, as it was met, has been passed in
safety. The purpose of the present meeting of the
case, and it had been announced that substantial
agreement had been reached on, the more important
points.
One explanation of the suddenly decided on
withdrawal Of the British delegates was that an i'm
passe had been reached, in the Silesian negotiations,
and this was regarded as of grave moment. An
other explanation was that the reply of De Valera
to the British proposals was of such an unsatisfac-
tory character that Lloyd George and his associates
in Paris had felt impelled temporarily to abandon
the Paris conference and return home to prepare for
the discentinuance Of the Irish negotiations, with
whatever grave results might follow.
It appears now that there was an element of
accuracy in each of these views, though neither is
correct. Great Britain, Italy and Japan, on the one
hand, and France, on the other, had failed to reach
agreement on the Silesian question, and no basis of
agreement was in sight. But there was no break
ing off of negotiations. On the contrary, the meet
ings were continued on Friday, and a unanimous
agreement was reached to refer the whole question
to the League of Nations. This, of course, does not
decide matters, but it postpones either settlement or
permanent disagreement
The Irish situation figured in the developments
IN an important way. A communication from De
Valera sent to London and transmitted to Paris
contained neither acceptance nor rejection Of the
British proposals, but asked for further explanation
on certain points in the government offer in order
that this further information might be placed be-
fore the republican parliament at its meeting next
Tuesday. The British premier decided to return
$I immediately TO LONDON III OfQcr IndC THIS subject
might receive attention at the earliest possible mo-
rnent. Both the Silesian and Irish questions, there
fore, may be regarded for the time being as substan-
tally unchanged except for the transference of the
former to the League of Nations, where more than
the four Allied powers will participate in its settle
Tent.
Following lengthy correspondence, in which
the view OF the several governments were obtained
informally, President Harding has sent formal in
USfaffons n IL Cra,+ ~:xo:a4
China to participate in the conference on reduction
ct ornament in Washington on November II. The
notes sent to the various powers are identical, and
set forth the need for relief Of the world from the
burden OF IT'S war costs and OF the menace of war,
and express the hope that a way may be found at
this conference to bring about some important
measure of real relief. Emphasis is placed on the
fact that no conference can produce satisfactory re-
suits unless those participating are earnestly desir-
ors OF maintaining peace and are willing to reach a
settlement of questions which, il left open, would
abe likely to lead to MISUNDERSTANDING. AS time
u passes the importance Of this conference is more
and more recognized, and it is felt that it may de-
styelop INTO one of the most fnomentous gatherings
aain a history:
sNS IA the discussion Of the revenue bill certain
important decisions have been reached. Among
the terms reached by the leaders having the bill id
charge are provisions which will result in the re-
Sduction Of the present tax levies by about $500, 0OO,-
s000, and 4 reduction in expenditures Of some $780,
SsasNQ0,0O0. Among the principle tax reductions are
those repeating the excess profits tax, half Of The
transportation atax, the income surtaxes over 40 per
g5Sent, and the so-caaed nuisance and luxury taxes
4he reduction in expenditure runs generally
6fohgh the departments, being greatest ia the wal
40 nayy department.
The capperTincher bill eguiating trading ID
<ains, and intended 20 prevent gambling ii farm
&FEooduccts has passed both houses. The senate I'd.
3zttdS sevesa1,aniepdments hence the bill has zone Ia