The Washington herald., 1922-04-10

George 1t was designed as a con-
ference of nations, meeting for the
first time on equal terms since the
war In order to dig a secure founda-
tion of peace for the next genera
tion: and TO reshape, in a scientific
way from which hatred and pas
sions would be eliminated, the eco-
relations between the various
powers so that there should be a re-
vival in world trade.
Bold idea, Fine Vision.
That was a bold idea and a fine
vision. Its initial success depended
on the possibility of making certain
financial concessions to Germany
with the consent of France for the
purpose of stabilizing the value of
German marks. preventing undue
from Germany's under
selling in foreign markets and
German bankruptcy which
would lead to a new financial tur-
moil throughout the world.
In the second place came the
problem of Russia and II was Lloyd
idea to open up that en-
pire of hundred million people as
a great market once more for
manufactured goods. by fnterna-
tional aid in return for definite
guarantees of reform and good
faith.
Program Is Sensible.
Thirdly. II was his hope to de-
mobilize or at least reduce to a nor
NAL level of international security
the great standing armies OF
France. Poland, Russia and other
KaA ~
heavy financial burdens and make
it-possible for them to redeem their
debts and balance their budgets.
There is no fairly Intelligent mind
which does not see that this pro-
gram is necessary and sensible. II
is the plain. common-sense thinG
mulated and long before II was pub,
lished, political tempests arose
which threatened to wreck thi:
mier. BRAND, was personally ir
favor Of the general plan suggested
by Lloyd George. Instinctively ot
ltarist by all his tradition and ex'
perience, he had prepared to make
certain notifications regarding Ger.
anu CCl TAIN
relations with Russia: and risk. foI
the sake OF common sense, thai
storm of political propaganda ant
artificial fury which he knew woulC
meet him on his homecoming.
Poincare Spikes Guns.
He risked too much Not ever
the British pledge to stand b.
France IL she were attacked agar
in unprovoked war by Germany and
the generous financial concessions
which gave France absolute pri.
ority on any indemnities from Ger.
many could save him from Poin.
care and his reactionary legion,
who play on passion and moi
ignorance for their support.
BRAND fell. and Poincare's gov.
ernment have done all in theil
power since to queer" the Genoa
conference. They refuse to max,
any reasonable concessions to Ger,
many or allow any broad discus,
sion OF more scientific methods b,
which Germany could pay indemni
ties without inevitable bankruptcy
or continued insecurity OF worlt
finance. They refuse to consider {
plan of Russian reconstruction
whatever guarantees are made b,
the Soviet government and en-
forced by other powers.
Loss of Loans RnnkIes.
Influenced by Russian aristocrat!
eXiled in Paris but still more b,
disgust at the loss Of their ole
loans to Czarist Russia. which
rankle in the heart of every French
bourgeois. naturally enough the,
have unrelenting hatred of repub
lican Russia and do not believe any
pledges given or any reforms mad,
will be fulfilled by those now IL
power. This attitude of mind will
be represented by the French dele
gates at Genoa and will not b,
helpful to European construction.
Meanwhile in Great Britain Lloyc
George is like Samson with hi,
locks shorn of. Like BRAND, h,
took too many risks for the SAX,
of common sense. His enemies saw
at once that he had delivered him.
self into their hands by proposint
to deal with subjects by whIci
passion and prejudice may still b,
aroused with easy propaganda.
Hatred Exceeds Patriotism.
The attempt to solve the Russian
problem on economic lines wal
called shaking hands with murder
an attempt to save Germany from
bankruptcy, not for her sake bu
for all our sakes, was called lick,
ing the hand of the Hun. 1t wa!
an easy grade. 1t has been played
to the limit by those who Low,
their country less than they hat,
Lloyd George. and who would de
stroy him rather than let him saw,
the financial situation of Europe.
Newspapers. are filled with preju
dice from one end OF Great Britain
to another, the one purpose of then
all being to smash the coalition
and put conservatives in power
Undoubtedly the coalition govern
ment of England serves no usefu
purpose any more and 1t is newt
able that there should be a fgh
with gloves off between all politi
cal parties out to win. But tn,
pity OF IT is that this politica
strife in Great Britain is foggins
the clear. outlines of the grea
problem of economic recovery II
Europe and throwing out smok,
screens through which the publ,
mind cannot perceive the truth o.
things.
PLAYING to Gallery.
1t has happened at the time wher
the British people are beginning tC
face realities and abandon passion
and prejudice for cool judgmen Mt
educated by the painful experienc,