The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-04-09
SIR PHILIP GIBBS PREDICTS GENOA CONFERENCE WILL FAIL q

stagnation and the downfall of Euro
pean markets. The politicians playing
up to the gallery Of the lowest class
intelligence are the personal enemies
Of and party insincerities are the
curses on the people OF the world. not
only in Europe but in other countries,
not excepting the United States.
Statesmen everywhere are not doing
things that they know to be wise be-
cause their political life is at the
mercy of the inajorities i'm Parliament
or Senate. The decision OF the United
States to take no part in the Genoa
conference beyond sending an observer
limited at once the power OF that as
sembly In dealing with world prob
lens: but in any case the representa-
tive of the United States would add
only one more vote for the miserable
compromises and narrow decisions
based on the Versailles Treaty unless
he had full support OF the Senate and
the people behind him for the bold
policy OF reform reconstruction, and
that don't think he would have had.
Hope Lies in Little Powers.
What, therefore, is to be hoped from
the Genoa conference? Its only chance
lies not with the great Powers, whose
delegates are tied to party policies,
but in combined pressure Of the little
Powers and those who were neutrals
in the great war, though hard hit now
in spite of neutrality. Scandinavian
and Baltic states like Sweden, Den
mark, Norway, Holland. Esthonia.
Latvia, Lithuania and Finland may
combine with common interests to in
sist on some solution of the Russian
problem. They are anti-Bolshevist, but
need Russian trade and guarantee of
peace in Russia. which does not exist
while the Red army is In being.
Czecho Slovakia, Jugo Slavia and
other small countries OF Central Eu-
rope cannot permit strangulation OF
Germany to such an extent that her
economic downfall is assured, for that
would mean their destruction, too. At
the Genoa conference they will state
their views, press them and perhaps
that will lead to more general UNDER
standing of international arithmetic.
The most important problem OF all
is how to deal with Russia, and l am
still convinced that the only way is
to recognize the Soviet republic as a
de facto government and to deal with
1t with a strong hand as we'll as a
generous spirit toward the Russian
people. 1t Is agreed that policy
without any alliance or entangling
treaties between the United states.
Great Britain and Germany, with
France coming in if she likes, would
settle that business. In return for
economic aid in the way Of food for
her starving people, industrial recon-
struction and financial loans on full
securities, one condition would be inn
posed which would relieve Europe OF
standing menace and unnecessary
but Gripping financial burdens-that
is the rehabilitation OF the Red
army.
That would lead to the demobiliza-
ton OF the Polish army and the gem
eral relief OF Frances chief financial
supporter, Poland. 1t would lead to
less aggressive policy of France in
relation with Germany, and SO on in
a long chain of cause and effect. j
venture to say that this scheme of
mine is not only sound but is the only
policy by which Europe may get
quick recovery. 1t is not playing into
the hands Of Bolshevism, 1t is taking
away the last weapon of the Bolshe-
visits.
1t would be necessary for the Soviet
Government to accept that condition
IL all the Powers upon which she is
now dependent for help were to with
draw all aid and combine to demand
it's fulfillment. But no such policy
will be adopted at Genoa because
Lloyd George has had his hands tied
by Poincare who is hostile 10 those
ideas, and Russia sees no unanimous
decision among our judges or jury.
The United States could initiate
such scheme and carry it through
IL the Senate could be induced to sup
port It. That Is hoping too much.
and therefore l think the Genoa con-
ference will be another chapter of fu-
tility in a sick world which cannot
wait too long for doctors treatment.
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