New-York tribune., 1922-02-13

Europe TO reduce its armament bur
dens In this connection it must be
remembered that the only European
country which actually cuts down its
preparedness budget as a result of
the Washington conference is Great
Britain. No one really expected
France or Italy to do any building Of
big battleships in the next few years
even if the conference had not been
held
Want Soldiers Put Back TO Work
The broad, general theory Of the Ad-
ministration has been. up until the last
few weeks that If something could be
done TO get the peoples of Russia and
Germany particularly, back to work.
and If considerable percentage of
the men under arms in France and tho
other European countries could be got
back to work, the situation would al
ready be in hand. This theory has
been severely joltcd by the frankly
expressed opinions Of such expert oh
servers as Mr.. Nanderlip. This doubt
has been reinforced by observation Of
the situation in Italy. where the army
has been cut down to 100000 men
Italy is undoubtedly in q better posi-
tlon economically than some Of the
other countries. but there is still q
tiS ing Hscu luF NHantldl ItnapliltAl!ul
which the Italian government sees
clearly. Indeed, this is why Italy has
been most urgent in seeking to bring
about an economic conference in which
tho United States, Russia and Ger
many would take part
The disinclination Of France to 20
iltto the Genoa conference without very
explicit understandings that there Will
be no attemp. to interfere with the
enforcement of the terms Of tho Yer
sailtes Treaty, carrying with it an inhibi-
ton against the discussion Of the size
Of the army required to enforce the
terms of that treaty, is not difficult to
understand here in view of what hap
pened at the armament limitation CON
ference
From the day they arrived the Italian
delegates began talking about the trc-
meNdous cuts in their army which had
been made, on the one hand. and their
Willingness to reduce the size of their
navy to any given strength, provldc
only it equalled that OF any other Med
lterranean power, on the other.
Why France Fears Genoa Farley
Both Of these moves were levoled di-
rectly al the French, and the French
realized it. They do not propose to
submit themselves as targets at any
OtHet conferences lOr the ildllan prop
aganda against a large French army
and increased French sea power, espe-
cially as they realize that at Gen "a.
even more than at Washington, the
wish Of all the other powers represent
ed would be with the: Italians rather
than with the French
SO President Harding is very ANXIOUS
to find out. before ne decides whether
this country will be represented at
Genoa, even if the conference Is post
poned until summer, what the pos
sibllities are with regard no, only 10
thc relief Of land armament burdens
in Europe, but with regard to check
ing the process. still IN full flight, Of
initiating the European currencics.
il the only answer Europe can make
TO Inquiries Of this character is that
the cancellation Of the debts Of
Europe to the United States would
help. this Will give considerable pause
here, despite the c,amor Of the farmers
and of those manufacturers VINO think
they could sell their products to
Europe If only some way could be
found to finance the deals