Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-10-26

Washington, D. c., Oct. 23.-If the
League Of Nations Is successful in set
Ting the perplexing problems which
have arisen out of the Near Eastern
situation, as seems not improbable,
this service will constitute the first
one Of world Significance undertaken
and accomplished by that body. The
league has been SO much the subject
of partisan, discussion in the United
States that it is sometimes difficult
for the American people to think Of
it as a going concern. When the
Treaty OF Versailles was up for ratifi-
cation in the senate the League of
Nations was the principal bone Of
contention. It resulted finally IN the
defeat Of the treaty and the Ameri-
can people have dropped quite natur-
ally into the habit of thinking that
because the United States repudiated
the league, there is no league.
This is quite contrary to the fact.
The League Of Nations is in business
and is an active element in interna-
ticnal affairs. True, 1t has mo Official
business with the United States lie
this country is not a member.
but many other countries are and
there is plenty for the organization
to do. The Turkish controversy fur
nishes an opportunity to perform a
really big task. If it is capable. but
and the first establishment Of the
league have mot been, idle.
The principal publicity which the
League of Nations has enjoyed on this
Of the water in the last two or
three years has been in connection
with conferences. most Of which have
been abortive. The great gatherings
at Brussels and Genoa have been par
TALLY under the auspices of the
league. These have failed to accom-
plish definite detectives. Meantime,
however, the league has been plug
ging away att routine jobs and has
been accomplishing them. Little pub
licity has attended these exploits be-
cause they were for the best. part OF
local interest. i
ven International disputes from sim
mering over a period of years, and
eventually developing into var. Fol-
lowing is a brief outline of what has
been actually done in a quiet and
businesslike way in the last two or
three years: 81.
what Has Been Done.
The province of Upper silesia pre-
sented problems of a vexed nature
because of conflicting aims Of various
races and nationalitics residing with
in its borders and especially because
of the rich; natural products of the
land, The league has taken up this
question and in q series Of conferences
has settled amicably practically all
the disputed points. A few minor
matters remain under. consideration
but are in a fair way to settlement.
Lithuania and Poland, soon after
their d.ection as nations, got into a
boundary dispute and EACH chal-
|ienged the sovereignty of fhe other
been at work on this and reports sub
stantial progress, hostile demonstra.
tons having ceased.
Albania complained to. the league
that the serb-Croat-Slovene state
formerly Serbia) was encroaching on
her boundaries. This negotiation has
been in progress for some {timeI q
commission Of inquiry has been al
work and a program is being worked
out for the settlement Of the dispute
Meantime! hostilities have, ceased and
the parties have given evidence of be.
ing willing to await the decision Of
the league.
The first case to be completely and
amicably settled by the league is thal
relating to the Aaland Islands. These
islands, located In Baltic waters, are
Of great strategic Importance and the
league undertook q negotiation pro-
viding for their naturalization and
non-f0rtIficati0h II. will be remem-
Ebered that the Island OF Heligoland,
German naval base which
was not even scratched during The
war. was regarded by the Allies ar sC