Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-05-22
WHY THE CONFERENCE TOURS

A LTIIOCGH considerable emphasis has
n been laid upon the congcnial atmos-
phcrc of The Hague as n setting for inter-
national parleys. no special perspicacity is
required TO comprehend that the transfer of
the diplomatic stage to the Dutch capital
was not ncccssitatcd on that score.
Compliments on "Genoa the superb
were literally bestowed at the closing ses-
sion. There would be little hope for better
results in Holland were optimism based ex-
clusivcly on that nations virtues as n host.
The secret If so obvious a fact can be so
described, was disclosed by Lloyd George In
his good tempered and earnest address that
was part of the final proceedings in the
Italian city.
I'VE have declared the British pre-
micr IA month for reflection on the diff
culties we have had in this conference.
Before we resume the discussions, l sin
ccrely hope that that month will be util-
lied with II view to discovering and sug-
gestng solutions for those difficulties"
Herein lies the justification for touring
conference. a season Of serious self exami-
nation and a deepened consciousness of
realities are needed by all the major partici.
pants at Genoa Manifestly. 1t was impos.
siblc TO adjourn the sessions there for so
long period as a month. The only rracti-
cal expedient was. therefore. new start in
a new locale. 1t is the opportunity to think
things over in advance. rather than the
charms Of The Hague. ingratiating as that
little capital is, which is the prime con-
sidcration.
Mr. Lloyd George. tempcratcly and with
a view TO avoiding controversy. admits that
the doctrine Of rcpudiating debts may be
sound. very sound but he is free to con.
fess that affirmation of that principle is ex-
tremcly unlikely to promote the securing of
credits by Russia and that it is far from
diplomatic.
1t Is. therefore, the Soviet Government
for which the interlude Of reflection has
been primarily established by the Entente
nations. Russian consent to the new pro-
gram implies that further proposals. with
diminished insistence upon political phi
losophy, may eventually be advanced.
On the score Of principle the Soviet rep.
rcscntatves at Genoa unqucstionably made
a showing which must have rejoiced their
constituents at home. Mr. Chicherin is
expert in ratiocinatiOn. He has demon
strated the somewhat well known fact that
wars and revolutions are not always re-
spectful Of private property and at some
time In history virtually every nation Of
the earth has by force ma ajcure applied the
| tcnets of reputation.
Mr.. Lloyd George is apparently willing to
grant MN any numDer or points IN uebat-
ing. but with the understanding that dialec-
ties alone cannot settle practical issue.
! The outside world is not tempted to invest
! heavily in Russia unless some agreement
concerning property principles is contained
| in the contract.
Mr.. Lloyd George was outspokcn on this
| point. He has not asked Communist Rus
sia to renounce its principles in home affairs.
! but simply to recognize the necessity of the
Quid pro quo in intcrchanges Of money or
goods with Western Europe.
The nations and peoples that arc anxious
to develop trade relations with Russia are
united in their conception of contracts.
There is little dclusion now about the pos
sbilitcs at The Hague. They will vanish
unless the safeguards proposed by the prin- .
ciplc can be matched.
Lack Of program clearly defined in nd
vance imperilcd the Genoa meetings. The
Hague conference will start. after four
weeks of preliminary reflection. with more
limited objectives by the so-callcd Western
nations and concord upon one salient de-
| mand