The New York herald., 1922-03-10
POWERFUL WEAPON
FOR PREMIER'S FOES
Lord George Continues Genoa
Preparations, but Oppo-
ncnts Attack Him.

Special Cable TO THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
London. March ..
Officially Great Britain goes on with
preparations for the Genoa conference,
insisting that long ago 1t felt America
would not participate. and that that loss
had been discounted Premier Lloyd
George Is reported to be determined to
go on as far as he can with the plans
for the resuscitation of Europe, In which
the revival of trade with Russia plays
a large part, but Americas refusal has
put powerful weapon in the hands of
those who oppose Mr.. Lloyd George.
While the press organs of the Gov
ernment are dumb, the Northcliffe
papers, the Morning Post and the Daily
Neios. hail the American refusal as the
castigation of the Premiers effort to
use Genoa for his own domestic ''politi-
cal' purposes. They say there is little
use in going on. with America elimi-
mated, and that Mr.. Lloyd Georges real
object is revealed.
The Westminster Gn@ette, generally
an opposition paper, however, deplores
the American refusal and expresses what
may be counted upon as the official
point of view in saying that the Genoa
conference will lead. as Secretary
Hughes suggests to further conferences.
where America can participate usefully.
Approval of Americas refusal gen.
orally is based upon Mr.. Hughes's re-
luctance to deal with the Bolsheviki !:
but both the Daily Ne,cs and the West
minister Gdsette-"wee free Liberal or
gans-say that Americas presence,
with her detached attitude. would have
helped make the Genoa conference sue
cessful.
The Northcliffe papers blame the
Anglo French squabbling in Washing
ton over submarines for part of Amer
ica's reluctance to participate, but in
view of their general friendly attitude
toward France these papers blame the
British Government, rather than France,
for that very squabble.
1t is clear however, that efforts will
be made elsewhere. if the preparations
for the Genoa conference go on, to get
France to modify her position in re-
gard to changing the Versailles and
other peace treaties. This is hinted In
several quarters tonight, where
Frances exclusion Of the discussion Of
was taken as an unwilling
ness to discuss her own disarmament.
even if approached on the financial
side. These sentiments attributed to
France were coupled as important
causes of the American unwillingness
to participate.
The Morning Post says: 'The note of
Mr.. Hughes. following as it does upon
the stand taken by Poincarc and the ex-
ceedingly cautious attitude of DIR. Benes,
leader of the smaller European coun-
tries, has profoundly modified the whole
Genoa outlook and has made short work
of the Prime Minister'S dazzling pro-
gram
The Eucming Ne,Ds: THE United
States Government has declined to take
part in the Genoa conference. The peo-
pie of the United States and also the
people of Europe are 20 be congratulated
upon the American decision. The de-
cision is partly the result of foolish dec
larations made by European bankers and
financiers to the effect that Europe will
never pay her debts to America, but II
is chiefly due to the spectacle shown to
the American people at Washington
when the French and British delegates
quarrelled with each other over ques-
tons of submarine warfare IL the
Bolshevilli are to be recognized. 1t means
the detachment OF the United States
from European affairs and people, and
also the detachment of France from
England. In whose interest then is Eng
land going to Genoa 2"
The Daily Mail: THE people of this
country will appreciate the plain speak
ing American Governments refusal to
take part in the Genoa conference and
entirely agree with it's conclusions, rec
oGr izing very clearly that 1t does not
Indicate any intention on the part OF
President Harding to turn his back on
Europe. The best way of restoring
Russian prosperity, as the American
refusal dryly points out, is for the
Bolsheviki to disappear"
The Daily Ne,cs: Many of the limita-
tons and definitions in the Genoa pro.
gran--due in part to intrigues and
mutual suspicious of rival nations-are
to BE- deplored. but SO is the stubborn
aloofness of the United States, which
selves only to accentuate the difficulties
of the complex situation. The austerely
superior and wholly remote attitude
which America chooses to maintain
toward the nations of Europe is a pose
as unhelpful and as unacceptable to
Europe as the psychopatic bids for
American sympathy from this side OF
the Atlantic are the subject OF ridicule
and contempt to many Americans"
The Times says: THE American re-
fusal to go 20 Genoa is very polite and
very sympathetic. but IL is quite posi-
tive. Surprise. It Is alleged. is felt in
Government circles over this decision
II won't be felt anywhere else. Apply
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