Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-01-07
SATURDAY EvEN1N G, JANUARY 7,1s22
EVENTS OF A WEEK.

EVENTS OF A WEEK.
The first week of the new year was marked by
vigorous and apparently energetic efforts. to reach
agreement on several important unsettled ques-
tons before the arms conference in" Washington.
While France has stood out against the abolition
al the submarine and the limitation of her own sub
marine tonnage in accordance with the earlier pro-
pesal of the American delegation, all the great
powers have signiiied their adherence to the princi-
Piles set forth intthe Root resolutions. Those reso-
buttons set forth the understanding of the delegates
as to the application OF existing international law
to the submarine, declaring that the underseas craft
is not exempt from any Of the regulations intended
to secure the safety of noncopbatants, and that If a
submarine cannot effect the capture Of a merchant
vessel without violation of the regulations it must
desist from its effort and allow the merchant YES
sci to proceed unmolested. Approval has also
been given to the principle that the commander of
a vessel is personally responsible for violations Of
the laws OF civilization and humanity committed
under his orders. even though he may have received
his own orders from his superiors.
Perhaps the most important act OF the confer
ence in relation to the submarine is the reaching OF
IN agreement among the five powers that as among
themselves they will not use the submarine against
merchant vessels. This agreement, of course, is
binding on. each OF the five nations only as to their
conduct in a war which may occur between any
two Of more ofrf1em. Nations which have not sub
scribed to the agreement cannot be held bound by
it, nor will one of the FIVE powers be bound to OBJ
serve this rule in case OF a war between it and All
outside power which has not accepted the rule.
The conference powers, however, while binding
themselves as to their mutual action, appeal to all
other nations to join them in this agreement, to the
end that the submarines may be barred entirely as
a weapon to be used against merchant craft. This
will dispose in large measure of the complications
which might have been troublesome when attempts
were made to adjust the activities of merchant YES
sells to the limitations imposed on the submarine.
Practically all the Far Eastern questions which
have come before the conference have yielded quite
readily to treatment with the exception of the issues
) arising from the relations Of Japan and China. All
the other powers have agreed readily to a liberal
policy toward China, but Japan has chung tenacious
~ to her hold on Chinese territory and Chinese in
s%titutions. When She has yielded anything it has
been slowly and reluctantly, and while gains have
been made, it seems likely that several quite i'm
portant problems in this field will remain unsettled
when the conference closes.
The meeting OF the Allied supreme council at
Cannes, which is now in progress, is recognized as
an exceedingly important gathering. 1t will con-
Germ itself with the ever present question of Ger
man separations, and it is hoped that out Of the
meeting will come plans Of an effective character
which will facilitate the financial and industrial re-
Mobilization of all Europe. The American govern
nent is represented at the meeting by Ambassador
Harvey, in accordance with the recognition of the
fact that in all matters OF settlement growing out
Of the world war the United States has a lively in
terest.
One report from Cannes indicates the probable
ly at the early recognition Of the Russian Soviet
government, a step which, however necessary it
may be, will be regarded with grave misgivings by
q very large number Of people who do not believe
that civilization can safely egitimize a political
movement which recognizes no obligations to civil
~fization, which repudiates all law, and which, III its
organization and methods, represents only the
spirit Of anarchy.
Important developments have taken place in
relation to the Irish question. On Friday Eamonn
De Valera presented to the Dali his resignation Of
the Irish republic, and also the designations of mem
hers of his cabinet. This action followed a series
nf addresses in the Dali for and against ratification
parent that. the division on ratification would Be
yesy elnse, with the prospects in favor Of ratihea-
Wti3s th< opponents OF ratification are almost
adqnzl ID numbers IN the DAD to It's supporters. the
holiday recess has brought increasing evidence that
the;K supPorti in the country at large is almost neg
1i98ib5e. From all over southern Ireland have come
SSpefitioas from public gatherings and from official
bodiies, such IS county boards and city councils, and
asked for. the ratifcation of the treaty. This seems
s tnsJn4ke il eiear that whatever action the Dali may
4a1eG ratification IS certain to come in the very near
aS6S16nrk. tor the Irish people have shown clearly that
s#t 1l9yts prs1er this conpactsto the continuation Of ul:
S41tysaWn the possibility OF a revival Of the
elgAdti6ons of violence vhichSgthe coantry has been
81 f1eeafDr nHoaths.
ssss4 TAe sudden dezth of Senator Penfose, Of Penn.
ssaSfMoniiAha " prompted speculation 81 to the recast-
5Nf &&sc0nsnittees. Senator Penrose was chairman
|4eSa1eapshstc finance committee. onc Of the most