, 1922-04-25
OpporfmiNn at Genoa

ssnIHE Genoa conference represented an effort on
IL the part OF certain European powers 20 bolster
up bolshevism in exchange for political and trade ad-
vantages IN Russia" states the National Republican.
mo question of right or wrong, of honor or dishonor,
Of Justice or injustice, was permitted TO stand in the
way Of the scheme to strengthen the strange hold Of
the military masters of Russia on 4 people already
ground deep in the bloody mire OF oppression by
thieves and murderers. Out of the situation the op-
potmist statesmen of other European powers sought
only to gain some selfish national advantage. The
effect on civilization of such conformation of the most
frightful orgy of crime ever inaugurated in the name
of government was given. no consideration. 1t was
throw her oppressors and establish n government based
ON public opinion recognizing the fundamentals OF
national morality. That there were resources in Rus
sia to exploit, wealth to acquire and trade to gain
was enough for n craftsmanship which thinks only in
terms OF today, and let's the morrow take caro- of
itself.
mo good to the world could be expected from n
conference SO conceived, and it is fortunate indeed
that the United States declined to participate. There
is no reason why the United States should sacrifice
self respect in the hope of gaining economic advan-
tage in Russia or anywhere else in the world. II there
are nations SO situated, they should be permitted to
play the game in their own way and take the conse-
quenees without involving this nation in the trouble
sure to follow compromise with wrong. We did not
go into a war to overthrow one autocracy in order
TO go into conference for the purpose of fastening
another less intelligent and vastly more brutal and
undemocratic sutocracy upon a hundred millions Of
helpless people and through that autocracy to menace
all civilized society.
Opportunism is not craftsmanship. Europe needs
a Lincoln or a Washington, but has only master pol
iticians who are working to retain power for them
selves, rather tran to exercise what power they have
for the good of the world even il it risks the loss of
power. Craftsmanship would have averted the Eu-
ropean war; the opprtunism of politicians seeking
constantly to dodge issues rather than meet them,
made the World war a certainty. Since the war
nanipulators rather than statesmen have been con-
spicuous in the handling Of peace problems, and the
result is chaos. Certain of these master opportunists
are politically long lived, but the time will come when
they will be as thoroughly discredited politically as
the American president they caught in their tolls and
who later was subjected to the discussion and the YER
dict of an intelligent, informed public opinion
HWhat is going on behind the scenes at Genoa no
one can certainly say. The game is played with the
curtains pulled down, with marked cards and loaded
dice. France is attacked for her reluctance to deal
with the bolshevist dictators who have raised the black
flag ands declared war against civilization and all its
standards Germany is criticized for making a sep
arate treaty with Russia; yet no one knows that this
was not a coup inspired by still another power as a
part of the program to put France at a disadvantage
and promote the trading interests of other nations.
and everyone knows that the course fOiioSyed by the
victorious powers since the war has been one calcu-
lated to force Germany into the arms of Russia. Com
munism is by this conference being advertised to the
radicals throughout the world as a form Of govern
ment which, however bloody handed and tyrannous,
may receive the sanction of civilized nations if only
it can stick IN the saddle long enough.
sit is impossible adequately to characterize the
European factionalists in this country who would drag
enmesles the Old World. The American who would
sacrifice the welfare and safety of the United States
by accepting the Leadership of Europe, rather than
maintain our complete national independence with an
to the rest of the world to follow American
leadership IN international affairs il it cares to do
so. is sadly lacking IN an understanding of the failure
of Europe or of the success of America as illustrated
in the visible results of contrasting ideals and policies. -