Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-01-21
The change which has taken place i'll

EVENTS OF A WEEK.
The change which has taken place i'll the French
administration continues to occupy a large share
Of attention in international circles. Premier Pom
care has given repeated assurances that IN all mat
tiers relating to world peace he will cooperate with
the other nations, and that he will carry out the
understandings already reached at the Washington
conference. Nevertheless, running through his ut
terances there has been a note of aggressiveness
which has not been conducive to international com
posure.
The agreement with Great Britain whereby
France was to be given assurance OF British aid IN
case Of attack on her by Germany seems likely to
go by the board for what, at first sight, appears to
be a strange reason. Poincare wishes such an agree
ment to be mutual, France also undertaking to as
sist Great Britain should Germany attack the lat
ter. From one standpoint such an arrangement
seems harmless, calculated merely to be consistent
with French dignity, France not wishing to appear
as a beneficiary without returning the favor. But
not a few students take a different view. They be-
ieve that this plan is proposed in order that, as
France relies on the British navy, Britain will be in
position of relying on the French army. These
critics believe that the underlying purpose is to
place Great Britain in a position where she cannot
but acquiesce in the continued maintenance by
France Of a great standing army. The project,
therefore, which was intended to remove the neces-
one calculated to promote that very thing. 1t is
predicted that rather than accept this policy the
British will reject the entire plan. .
The French attitude toward the Genoa eco.
nor1ic conference has not been set forth in detail,
but the premier has indicated that France will not
participate unless it is fully understood in advance
4hat the full terms OF the Versailles treaty are to be
carried out, that Germany is to meet her repara-
lions obligations squarely, to proceed at once with
the work of disarmament, and to bring to prompt
trial those charged with military ofenses. These
things must be taken out of the field of debate.
otherwise France will not confer.
The government Of Ireland, or at least OF that
portion of it which is to be known as the Irish Free
State, has passed into the hands of the Irish people.
the transfer being made peacefully and amicably in
accordance with treaty terms, and in the orderly
development of constitutional forms. Dublin cas-
tie, with all that it stands for as the symbol of gov
eminent, has been turned over to the Irish provi-
sional administration headed by Michael Collins,
and the affairs of the state will be administered by
that body pending the holding OF elections and the
organization of a regular and permanent govern
ment.
A curious situation exists in that the transfer,
which has been opposed and derided by the faction
headed by De Valera as a betrayal of Ireland, was
marked by demonstrations of JOY and satisfaction
throughout the entire country. Arrangements are
under way for the removal of all the British forces
in Ireland, and several bodies are now being trans
ferred. The work OF local administration will be
CCuliluCQ ny II OulC1dlS WHO nave Deen IN charge,
but under the direction Of the new administration
Prospects OF British elections in February have
been dissipated. Austen Chamberlain, in an ad-
dress a few days ago, seems to have set the matter
at rest by saying that the holding of elections until
the work Of organizing the new Irish government
had reached a more complete stage would be out Of
the question. There is a rather well defined opinion,
however, that the postponenent is due less to Irish
affairs than to the unsettled situation in France.
H6#EM@.M#- rs y , =
The work of the arms conference during the
week has been devoted to putting the finishing
touches on the several treaties thus far formulated,
which have undergone several changes, and to
dtirther discussions Of Far Eastern questions. Diff
culf1es still arise to prevent complete understand
mig on number OF important points. There APP
pears to be hope for a definite agreement on the
part OF japan to withdraw from Chinese territory.
INCREMENT has been reached on such notifications
I'M Chinese customs as will permit the raising Of
greater revenues and the consequent abolition Of
several y%exations and oppressive domestic taxes.
publicity with reference to all connpacts which may
lster be made involving relations with China.
s8 %% Z ISL
Carrying ont the spirit Of q compromise agree
sm<nt recently arrived at with the president the sen
NAxe has passed, with scarcely any opposition, the
sssmn,eDded Bill the purpose of which is to place 4
Mfaamer on the Federal Reserve board. The new
aAGe1ImS, framed by Senator Kellogg, OF Minnesota.
DssOyide for the enlargement Of the board from 1--WE
s110 ssMmernbers, and that in filing the positions the
Sc6nnnssreeiaai and industrial interests. The under-
sStnndingg " that IN filing the new position the pres.
5deHt VII name A farn1er.
Ire vas = little furry IN IN tie house over the
lgs(gsso IS the report q ths deep w.tsrways com.