Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-01-02
AS THE YEAR CLOSES.

4 Eugene DcbS.r I'D
AS THE YEAR CLOSES.
The year has closed with two Of the most i'm
portart subjects which have absorbed attention on
the list of unfinished business. These two subjects
arc the work OF the armament conference and the
settlement OF the Irish question. In the first there
IS involved vast economies in expenditure in the i'm
mediate future, the removal of causes of nisunder-
standing which might easily have complicated the
relations OF several of the great nations, and Just in
the background, the development Of international
understandings which will tend to reinforce and
make more effective all that has been done in the
past tor the maintenance Of world peace.
The Irish question is primarily a domestic one
peculiar to the British empire. But because of the
long standing Of the controversy, the vast extent Of
the empire in which it has originated, and the mail
titude of directions from which it touches so many
other nations. its continuance as an u1solved prob
lem would be a universal embarrassment and an OBJ
stacle in the way of desirable progress.
Ihe arms conference has not completed its
work, and many Of the agreements which it has ten
tatively reached are still subject to revision, and,
possibly, to rejection. But. while the work has by
no means been finished, enough has Been accom-
phshed to warrant the conviction that before long
she work of the conference in the interest OF peace
and good understanding will have been expressed
IN definite and binding form and the conference wilt
stand out as one Of the great. constructive agencies
Of the age.
The 'lr1sl question has reached the stage in its
SouH "ACiC II Il pIdCCGdlIy certain that 1t
will be removed entirely as a subject Of controversy
and Ireland will take her place as a recognized mem
Der OF the great family Of self-govcrning nations,
with full opportunity to develop the vast potential
ties OF her natural resources and the energy and en-
|terprise of her people.
Looking over the field Of continental Europe
we ind much OF uncertainty and confusion, but
there's also the record Of great things accomplish
ed. Formal peace has been established between our
own country and Germany, Austria and Hungary,
Controversies over Polish and Italian boundaries
have been settled. Crisis after crisis in relation to
Gern1an relations has arisen, each to be passed safe
|ly. Industry, tagging it is true: has shown syrnp-
toms OF wholesome revival. Political and territorial
disorganization has been slowly. but apparently
|surely, giving way to order.
Britain has her troubles over peoples whom she
has assumed guardianship. Turmoil exists in Egypt,
but courage and foret1ought seem to have assured
whole world is interested and the maintenance OF
order in the ancient kingdom. India, too, is full of
unrest. AS IN our own relations with the Philip-
pines, there is the demand for a measure of self
government which goes far beyond the present ca
pacity of the peoples affected to govern themselves.
Obviously the rational course is first to restore and
maintain order, and then to develop the greatest
measure OF self-government of which the people cat,
avail themselves.
Apart entirely from the arms conference, our
own country has been involved necessarily in all
the affairs of Europe and Of the world in general
which deal with readjustments made necessary by
the war. Where uncertainty concerning these set
Elements exists we share it, and where satisfactory
solutions OF pressing, problems are found we share
in the benefits. r
After long dispute the United States has made
a generous settlement with Colombia BY means Of
a treaty providing for the payment to Colombia Of
SS5,Oo0,OO0, this in consideration Of claims arising
in connection with the acquisition by the United
States of canal rights on the isttrnus. Colombia
has recently ratified the treaty. Tie settlement is
important, not merely as removing a couse of fric-
ton between the two countries, but as to its influ-
ence in establishing relations of confidence with all
the Central and South American countries.
In Mexico the Oregon administration appears
to be firmly established, although it has not been
possible yet to reach a satisfactory definition Of the
rights of Americans, and upon that. the official rec
ognition Of the Obregon government hinges.
The year has been one Of business depression
Throughout the world, and while the United States
has escaped the acute distress which has existed
elsewhere, the reaction. from the abnormal war con-
ditions has been accompanied by experiences which
have been SOLDERING to all classes and disastrous to
Isome. The general trend has been in the Objection
OF the lowering Of wages and commodity costs. The
price reduction movement affected Sfirst and, most
Largely farm products, a fact which has brought
great distress upon the entire agricultural comnuni-
y, and this being general, has reached in every di-
~rection. Recently substantial reductions in freight
rates on agricultural products have been made, and
this gives promise of sofhc relief.
Everywhere there is confidence that With the
Opening Of spring there will be a revival Of business
In all lines, a revival which is expected to be slow
and cautious, but real and progressive, 50 that the
new year opens hopefully and its work may be ap-
.Iproacfled in greater confidence than at any time
since the great war burst upon us.
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And TO think il took six great world powers TO
decide what should be done with 4 little spot on the
map like Var,
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