Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-02-25

Nate on a blanket amendment to the four-power Pa
cihc treaty under which it is declared to be the UNI
.derstanding of the United States that the treaty
involves no obligation to use armed force, no ALI
tance and no obligation to join in any defense. With
'out a definite statement to that effect this amend
'ment was understood to be acceptable to President
Harding, and a decision was reached to vote on the
amendment, with others. and on the treaty itself on
Saturday. Today's news columns will doubtless
present the record of this having been done.
Such an amendment as that referred to-, ii
agreed to, as it probably will be, will perhaps serve
to quiet the nerves Of some representative senators.
Any other effect will be negligible. The treaty in
its original form provides merely that the powers
represented shall respect each others possessions in
the Pacific, and that in case of aggression or threat
OF it from any other source these powers shall con-
fer as to the course to be pursued. There is no hint
of any obligation on the part of any nation to follow
any course of action looking toward defense, and a
statement to that effect in the amendment is merely
a statement of the obvious.
AS a matter of fact, the participation Of these
four nations in this and other treaties affecting the
Pacific and the Far East makes most unlikely, and
next to impossible, the invasion of the rights Of any
of them in Pacific territory by any other power.
There is no other power which, within any concsiv-
able time, can be expected to be in a position to as
sail the rights or the territory of any of these ma
tons in the Pacific. If the four powers concerted
bind themselves to keep their hands off each Others
property, there is little further to be feared. and the
spectacle of these four powers standing together in
friendly agreement based on recognition Of a r,u-
tuality of interest, would act as a wholesome deter
rent to the aggressive actions of any other power if
any nation were in a position to undertake it.
The action taken by the Ard Fheis, or conven-
ton of the Sim Fem, in agreeing on a postpone
nent of the Irish elections for three months, has
caused all sorts of speculation in both Ireland and
England, and throws a cloud of doubt over the
whole Irish situation. According to the published
reports the convention practically took the situa-
ton out of the hands of the leaders Of both factions,
and brought to a sudden close a gathering which
promised to be a very lively one. Both the mem
bers Of the provisional government and those OF the
4 De Valera faction profess to be we'll satisfied witt:
the agreement, and both are preparing to make the
most effective use of the time which must elapse
before elections are held.
Technically this decision is not at all binding
on anyone. The British government, has never 1T
any time recognized the Sim Fem or the Dali
Eireann. In its dealings with Collins, Griffith and
their colleagues the British cabinet recognized them
simply as influential lrishuen, prominent in a strong
faction. But the treaty provided for acceptance not
by the Dali, but by the parliament provided for i'll
an earlier act. The fact that the membership of the
two bodies was practically identical did not affect
the technical status. Collins and his partisans, be-
ing in charge OF the provisional government, may
ignore the decisions of Il volunteer convention.
Elections may be ordered without reference to any
agreement just made. AS a matter of fact, both the
southern Irish factions have agreed to the delay
proposed, and it is quite certain that the British
f government will not attempt to force elections in
advance of the desire of those who are most to he
affected by them.
At this distance it seems probable that BON
factions are inclined to welcome the delay, as Meth
er has felt quite sure what the result would be if an
appeal were made directly to the people under the
conditions of excitement which now prevail, and
Z with the Ulster situation in such complicated form.
Congress is struggling with the bonus question.
which promises to be the most difficult to handle
of any that has arisen since the Republican admins
tration took charge of affairs. The sales tax pro-
posal, which was presented a week ago by the presi-
dent as a means of raising funds whefewith to make
bonus payments, has all along been unpopular in
the house, and it has been disapproved by a special
subcommittee of Republican members of the house
ways and means committee. Secretary Mellon, to
whom further appeals have been made, stands firm
" opposed to the bonus plan, but says that if such
a bill is passed the treasury will issue short term
notes to provide for it until receipts from regular
sources come in. Mr.. Mellon has steadfastly in
sisted that no bonus legislation must be passed
without the passage of laws specifically providing
ssss' : forms e ''s''ss' taxation '' ms ''''
SSs For several days during the week the country
wss q the grip Of q storm which, in extent and Sc
q verify; will take its place as one Of the worst in his
4 tory. Originating, as most great storm move
meats do, Ia the west, the great eddy Of air moved
8 down from the Rockies and swept over the plains,
C reaching well into Gull territory and away north
into Canada. The southern part Of the whirl was
1 characfenizzedd}bb 5 unseasonably hot weather, and the
north ~ i tremendous fallSo Of snow. As the move
ment progressed, the temperature lowered, with
rain inl lie southern section, changing to slect and
snow Ihe snowfall seems to have been heaviest
.o..~l T,s1,s<t,H 1,6oenEa So11 ~ 90
inches IS reported. Trains were abandoned, street
Ataficw was stopped, tfloasands Of telegraph and tele-
phone poles were broken down by the weight Office
which loaded the wires. The work OF clearing up