Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-04-15
EVENTS OF A WEEK.

Genoa has been the center of world interest for
the past week, for in that Italian city there is i'll
progress a conference whose results may be of the
highest Importance. The conference has been call
ed an economic conference, and the appellation is
correct in that the conference represents recogni-
ton of the necessity Of securing system and stability
IN the finances of the countries of the world as a
condition precedent to both economieyand social re-
viyal, and also in the fact that it represents an earn
est effort to reach such agreements as will make
this financial reformation possible.
While the conference is thus based primarily on
economic necessities, it reaches into political and
military fields as we'll, because the economic, po-
,litical and military conditions OF the countries par
ticipating are so woven together that it is impossible
to separate them. Russia, for instance, needs for
eign trade, going and coming. The conference has
presented to the Russian delegates a list of the con-
ditons which, have been prescribed by experts as in
dispensable to the resumption Of full trade rela-
tons. These include recognition bv the Soviet gov
eminent of the foreign indebtedness of both the
czarist and the Kerensky governments, security for
the persons and property Of foreigners, in partial
execution of the laws, and abstention from attacks
on other governmental systems.
Involved in these considerations is the subject
of eventual recognition of the Russian Soviet gov
eminent, and acceptance of Russia into the family
of nations. The Russian delegates, in their turn,
have insisted on introducing the question of disarrn-
ament, to the consideration of which France has
been strenuously opposed. Here we have a combi-
nation of several of the important elements of ma
tional life, notwithstanding the efforts that have
been made to restrict the program to one set of sub
'jects. \
Extended dispatches from Genoa say that the
position of leadership in the conference is held east
ly by Lloyd George, who has no competitors for
that honor. France seems to be unfortunate in her
diplomacy at Genoa, as she was at Washington.
quite early in the Washington conference the atti-
tude of the French delegates on the several items
of armament reduction created the impression that
France, alone of all the great nations, was inclined
to obstruct the work of the conference and hinder
the accomplishment of it's ultimate purpose. The
French government was thereupon subjected to
much unfavorable criticism, expressed and implied,
ind France complained of being misrepresented and
misunderstood. In the present case, the French
government has not been enthusiastic for the Genoa
conference, and assented only on condition that the
amendment OF the Versailles treaty and the subject
of disarmament were not to be discussed
4 X Xxx
An agreement to this effect was made, and
France claimed a diplomatic victory. But, during
the first week of the sessions, it developes that, re-
CARELESS of formal programs, the nations of Europe
are convinced that there must be disarmament, and
Lloyd George. though adhering to the limited pro-
gram provided, points out that disarmament must
be reached by the removal of the political conditions
which have provided cause or excuse for the present
military conditions.
EI&G AF' '>AH\iA la tAN 'I0ikio
IN ireland as result in the agreement made by Col
Inns and Craig, representing the southern and north
ern sections OF the island, that improvement has
been much less than was hoped for. 1t is constant
lybecoming more clear that the chief element OF
disturbance is the group headed by De Valera
which refuses to recognize even the temporary au-
thority of the Free State provisional government
and which maintains an armed body whose mem
sbers are constantly coming into conflict with the
forces of the provisional government and menacing
the peace OF Ulster. There have been predictions
OF fresh scenes OF violence on Easter Sunday, the
- correctness of which remains to be seen.
Z The American congress has been struggling
with army and navy bills. In the senate efforts are
being made to amend the army bill so as to provide
for a minimum force Of 10000 men instead of the
I25,O00 proposed in the house bill. All Of the army
experts. the secretary of var and the president are
opposed to cutting the force down to the smaller
figure. In reply to statements that the country got
along before the war on a much Smaller personnel
than the house bill provides it is pointed out tina,
~the late war developed conditions which called TO,
ssalarge force Of specialists who were not formerly
sSEuiployed. Men are needed in the air service, in
sMSSEhernical work, and in various lines of industrial re.
1H3faIcfl, in each of which it is essential that the Unit.
sga4Ad States must maintain standards at least equal te
ss@athose prevailing anywhere else in the world.
MN%S 1890 =
Thc naval bill is being discussed in the house
SS6saTrhe bill as reported provides for an enlisted person
Sof $1,000, plus some 1000 special assignment,
len, making a total Of $1,000. The war department
SmisGists that to cut the force to less than sc, 600 woult
81 SSm sIpii its efficiency very seriously, and would re
sSSarft Ia placing the United States actually third il
ectiye naval strength among the nations, instcaf
being on q par with the strongest power. Pres1
ssS snst Harding bsalso in this instance ~ favor Of TIL
EaEer force.
sssSSciaethiin of i sensation WAS caused in hi
5ose by the charges presented BY Rcpresentatiy
SSsS < <xA III South Dakota and Woodruff, ofS MICH
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES