Evening star., 1923-01-01
A Year of Recovery.


year crowded with events of ma
tional and International importance
closed at midnight. Nineteen twenty
two was marked however. with no
single striking occurrence of great his
toric moment in this country. The
most notable happening was the series
Of industrial disturbances affecting the
railroad and coal industries that for
time threatened the American people
with disaster, and the effects of which
are still felt. though not so aCutely as
there was reason few months ago to
fear. Politically the year was marked
with a reaction from the overwhelm-
ing republican victory Of 1920, effect
ing A large reduction in the majorities
Of the administration party in the two
houses of Congress. and to some minds
forecasting a change two years hence.
In general the domestic situation
during 1922 was favorable. Enormous
harVestS were reaped. and unemploy-
ment, save for the strikes. was greatly
diminished The year closed with
high tide of business and Il general
revival in all lines "f manufacturing.
with a bright prospect for the new
year.
The country was visited by no catds-
trophies of moment. The public health
was maintained. Normal conditions
prevailed generally. Had il not been
for the TWO industrial disturbances
the record of the twelve months would
nave been most satisfactory.
One of the results of the November
=.tion which the country is obServ-
in. with keen interest is the develop
ment Of the bloc" movement in Con-
gress. an experiment in political af-
fairs that departs markedly from the
traditional principle of responsible
party government prevailing in this
country for the greater part of its his
tory. just where this movement Will
carry and how far il will proceed il
one of the questions with which the
New Year opens.
In the world beyond our boundaries
the most striking event of the year
was the restoration of Turkish power
through the collapse of the Greek mill
tary campaign in Asia, the horror at
SMYRNA and the emergency which
necessitated the summoning OF a new
international conference at Lausanne.
where. at this hour, affairs are at a
critical state Threats of war have
been heard and are Yet resoundlng.
but hone prevails that this situation
will be handled in d spirit of wise
craftsmanship. and that the world will
he spared further bloodletting.
Little advance has been made dur
ing 1922 toward the settlement of the
troubles arising out of the great war,
mainly of Il financial character. A
fortnight hence will come the day of
settlement between Germany and her
former enemies. d date that causes
anxiety. As the New Year opens the
premiers of the allies are assembling
for a further conference. seeking a
wise course of adjustment to avert
procedure that may even further com
plicate an already difficult problem.
The United States is besought to
participate in these proceedings, and
is at this time using its good offices
informally to promote a more salts
factory settlement than seems pos
sible at the hands of those immediate
" concerned. During the past year
il lessened the likelihood of interna-
1ional conflict through the outcome of
the arms limitation conference held in
this city, the results of which, though
not yet fully effected, still stand as a
measure of insurance for peace.
One of the striking incidents of the
year in Europe was the bloodless revo-
luton in Italy; the reaction of pa
triotism has electrified the world with
its completeness and it's economy. A
new figure rises in the field Of affairs,
and Italy, beset with grievous ills. has
been given a chance for political re-
generation which, if grasped firmly,
will make for stability in Europe.
In the light of the happenings of
1922 it would seem that the New Year
opens with an excellent prospect for
peace and prosperity and a sure ad.
vance toward full recovery from the
wounds of war. The American people,
blessed as are few others, will pray
that this be SO.