The New York herald., 1922-05-28
sso-German Alliance and
French Invasion Threat
Open New Horrors.
NO FAIR DEAL FOR SOVIET
No Way Out Unless America
Throws Her Economic
Power Into Scales.
BY SIR PHILIP GIBBS.

BY SIR PHILIP GIBBS.
Special Gable to THE New YonK HERALD.
LONDON, May 27.--So far from giving
new hope to the European peoples and
promising new era of peace and re-
construction. the Genoa conference,
which was summoned to attain those
objects, left behind general sense Of
apprehension and alarm. I think most
people in Europe to-day who think
at all seriously Of problems bigger
than their own little life in home and
business are profoundly disturbed by
what happened at Genoa.
We all hoped and believed the molten
lava of racial passion was cooling
down. 1t seemed likely that a reason
able arrangement for mutual benefit
would be made between nations who
were enemies in war. The cost. the
ruin. the futility of war seemed to
have taught such, hard lessons to VIC
tor and vanquished alike that there
was a reasonable chance of substitut-
ing arbitration and agreement for
armed force.
But the political struggle at Genoa
has revealed sharply the extremely
thin crust which covers the redhot
fires in the heart of Europe. The con-
fiict between sets of ideas at Genoa
resulted not in victory for peace but
in temporary truce. which in itself
was public avowal that we are again
threatened with renewal of war and
preparations for war. Lloyd Georges
supporters have made out a good case
for this truce of God as he calls il,
which he brought back from Genoa as
the only fruit Of his lab6rs, and indeed
every fair minded man and woman
should acknowledge the splendid
courage, patience and skill with which
that little David overthrew the old
Goliath of the war spirit in Europe
He risked, perhaps lost. lis political
supremacy in Great Britain by that
adventure.
Few Months Truce Not Enough.
But the plain man in the street in
France as we'll as England is not sat
isfied with that plan for a temporary
truce. On the contrary. the plain man
is astonished and dismayed that any
such truce is necessary. He thought
peace was already made. He believed
the spirit of peace was settling down
for long spell. Now he is told Eu-
rope has been saved from fresh war
for a few months. That assurance
does not fill him with any joy 1t is
n cause for uneasy, anxious, brooding
anticipations of some second Arma-
geddon now being prepared for him by
secret and moving forces over which
he has no control, but Of which surely
he will be the victim.
This German Russian alliance opens
new vista of horror. This French
threat of invading Germany is re-
peated daily in the French press, If
Germany defaults payment. perhaps
beginning a new catastrophe, making
future war more certain. Nagging
quarrels and interferences in the Brit
ish view is not ended by emotional as
sertions of love and friendship be-
tween private individuals or public
characters In both countries. 1t is
true to say the failure of the Genoa
conference and it's revelations of hos
tile policies have shocked all classes
Of men and women and raised new
fears in their imagination.
I cannot help thinking personally
that Soviet Russia has not been given
a fair deal. I say that not because I
have any sympathy with Bolshevism.
but because | hate Bolshevism and I
would therefore like to see the adop-
tion of policy which will speed up
its dissolution in Russia. 1t was not
sufficiently recognized at the Genoa
conference nor by public opinion out
side that Tchitcherin and his follow
ers as delegates had to play some
what to the political gallery in Mos
COW, or rather to the party machine.
just as Barthou and Lloyd George had
TO play to theirs. They still had to
pretend faith In Communistic ideals.
whereas Communism is already aban-
doncd in Russia to the extent of 9s
per cent.
Russian Oner Made for Peace.
In return for that per cent. of
their ancient heresy they were willing
to come to terms with the rest of Ei-
rope. II that had happened peace
would be more certain. For example.
they proposed the demobiization OF
the Red army in a general scheme for
the pacifcation Of Europe. In discus
sion that offer was Immediately sharp
~ opposed by France. Why? On
what grounds? Soviet insistence on a
European loan of f2OO. 600. 900 is doubt
less impossible, for reasons which Mr..
Hoover had plainly pointed out No
Government could go to its people with
such a proposition. But some inter-
national scheme of credits is not only
possible. but necessary, IL the Russian
people are to be given any chance of
recovery.
even venture to disagree with Mr..
Hoover that Russian salvation lies
within herself and not from without.
II Is impossible for Russia to recover,
whatever internal reforms are carried
out, unless she gets credits. She can
not reestablish industry unless she OBJ
tains foreign plant and machinery.
She cannot get her railway system
cunning without engines from Ger