New-York tribune., 1922-02-10
Harding, 1t Is Said, Will
Make Announcement
After Cabinet Action;
Conditions Now a Ban
Oppose Rccooniiior
OF Soviet Regime
Need for Arms Cut Oh
Continent Factor Keep
ing Us From ParIey

Prom The Trtovnes Naahegfo'. Befcc4
WASHINGTON, Feb 9.-lt is hc-
lievcd in Congressional and oflcia,
quarters tonight that when Pre-
dent Harding announces the Admin
istration's decision tomorrow on tho
Allied invitation to participate in tho
Genoa conference it VIII be re-
fusal TO accept under present condi-
tions. At the same time the presi-
dent is expected to make ii plain that
the United States is ready and will
ing to go to all reasonable lcngths ia
helping in the rehabilitation of Fu-
rope.
Final decision on the Genoa con-
ference is expected at the Cabinet
meeting tomorrow.
One of the outstanding facts N
the situation Is that this govcrnmcns
is opposed TO entering the coming
conference OF any similar conference
in fashion that VIII extend recog-
milton to Lcninc and the Soviet gov
crnment. According to prominonc
members of the Senate Foreign Re
lations Committee, this is ono Of tho
great obstacles in the way Of par
ticipation.
Secretary Hughes is known to he
strongly opposed to taking any step
that amounts to recognition of Lc-
nine and, while some Of the Pres-
dents advisers believe the time has
come to take different attitude io-
~ 4 russia, there is nothing to III
aicate that President Harding is
willing to go to any such lengths rs
to accord recognition to the Lenine
regime
Observers TO Be Present
The Russian phase and the feeling
OF the Administration that before Eu-
rope can go far on the road TO rehabii-
itation effective steps must be taken
toward reduction OF armies on the Cor
tinent continue to be regarded here
as the leading reasons Why the United
States will not participate actively in
the conference 1t is generally as
sumed. Of course. that this govern
ment will send one or more observers
to the conference. even though it does
not take part officially and actively.
l.
French government has addressed
memorandum to the British govern
ment saying the preliminary work cI
the conference Will require a, least
three months and suggesting tnat the
conference cannot be held until MAY
or June were read with keen attention
here o-day II it were certainty
the conference would be delayed tha.
long or longer it is possible this gov
crnment might reach different con
clusion than it Is expected 10 Ioacn-
However. it is regarded "a open 70
much doubt whether the ronfc~ TO
will be postponed Reports ind ate
the Italian government is going anoa'l
with plans for the conference on
large scale and expects it to be held
as planned and there are numerous
evidences that the British government
is adverse to postponement for any
iderable period.
Cabinet Opposes Participation
President Hardng's official advisers
are not unit on the subject OF par
ticipation. 1t is known he has been ad
vised by some OF his counselors to
join in the conference, but the weight
of Cabinet opinion undoubtedly is
against participation. 1t is noticeable
fact that the recent agricultural COW
ference favored participation in the
Genoa conference on the theory thai
it might open up the much desired
route to foreign markets which tho
farmers are demanding.
The question of participation IN tho
conference. though it is primarily an
economic and financial one. nevcIths
less has political eide. 1t cannot be
said that the President is considering
this, but 1t is certain some of the Re
publican leaders are. They are apprc
hcnsive that if the United States takes
part in the Genoa conference the issue
of cancellation of war debts will be
raised in q way which will embarrass
this government.
The unwilingness of the Republican
leaders to be put in the attitude Of
favoring or seeming to favor cancelia
tion Of war debts was plainly seen IN
the recent consideration of the debt
funding bill in the Senate They be-
lieve public sentiment in this country
is against it and are unwilling to law
the Administration open TO any charge
that the party leaders are sympathetic
toward cancellation. In passing the
funding bill provision was put into
the measure which takes it out Of the
hands of the funding commission to
cancel any Of the war indebtedness OF
the Allied powers to this country.
Arms Treaties Also Involved
Another phase of the situation re-
lates to the effect of participation in
the Genoa conference on the ratitica-
tion of the armament conference
treaties III the Senate. In some qusr-
ters it is pointed out that the confer
ence just ended has come to what is
generally deemed fortunate conciu-
sion, with excellent prospects for rati-
fication Of the agreements. The Genoa
conference may not proceed SO fortu-
nately. and participation in it might
lay this government open 10 the charge
of too much mingling in international
affairs just at ting when such u