Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-09
THE ROAD TO RECONSTRUCTION

THE ROAD TO RECONSTRUCTION
THE delusion that the armed conflict in
i Europe differed fundamentally from civil
war on v9st scale is fading fast. Not n
shred of that dangerous pretense survives
in the frank and rational program of recon-
struction launched by the Allied Supreme
Council at Cannes.
Tho call for II general economic conference
marks at last the return to realism, the
identification of problems by the correct
names, which is the indispensable prelim-
nary to solution.
The practice of afixing political and ma
tionalistic titles to issues essentially eco
nomc the trick of Disgusting material in
teresa in haze Of sentiment, is Of ancient
lineage. Deliberate conspiracy is not always
the root of the evil.
The confusion Of labels has often occn
unconscious, notably In wartimes, when the
sincerity and fervor Of the mass of com
batants is scarcely to be questioned Even
the political leaders themselves are somc-
times victmizcd by venerable formulae and
glittcring catch words.
The food of msconception ran high at
the outbreak of the World War. for which,
among others of different type, cogent eco
nomic causes must be aSCribed.
Despite much constructive work Mt Yer.
sailles, the old phantasms were grim vis
tantS at the sessions. But since 1919 the
folly OF lodging facts has grown increasingly
apparent. The primary ills of Europe are
economic and directly resultant from n civil
Convulsion upon a continent which cannot
be restored TO financial health unless the
principle of homogeneity Of interests is
sanely recognized.
1t Is for this reason that neither RussIn
nor Germany can be safely ignored in any
II trttn n1o rhn
Cannes have, therefore, with a discernmrnt
worthy of the highest praise. invited every
state in Europe, regardless of its position
In the war, TO exert n common effort Ito
render to the European system its vitality,
which is now paralyzed."
Mr.. Lloyd George, upon whose initiative
III" proposal is made, rightly regards the
responsibility of victorious nations as heavy.
Duty and enlightened self interest are Joint
factors in this honestly conceived ATTEMPT
The conference. which will probably he
held in Genoa in March. will undertake an
expansion Of the principle acknowledged in
relatively provincial way in the formation
of the Little Entente and still moro re-
Gently in the trade agreements reached by
the Danube states and fragments of the
former Austro. Hungarian Empire.
That an immediate panacca will BE- do.
vised for debt burdens. for coinage dcbasc-
mcnt and for tho breakdown of industries
and commerce is unimaginable. But the
meeting will have the virtue of stressing
economic considerations and of viewing
Europe not as al armed camp of aggticIed
or hostile nations but ms unit the crn-
tinued degeneration Of any part of which
preSages the collapse of the WHOLE
No strings are attached to the Qualtica
ttons of any of the delegates. but 1t is per-
tlnently set forth that formal recognition
Of the Soviet Government j. dependent upOr
acccptanc" Of the obligation of debts. in.
cluding. naturally. those of tho old Russian
Government, and subscription to IL pledge
''to abstain FROM propaganda subvorsive Of
the political systems established in other
Countrics.'
1t is the intention to make agreement on
these scores mutual, the suggestion also
being made that "all nations ought to make
Il common agreement to abstain from all
aggression on their neghbors.'
Doubtless the restrictions regarding Rus
sin--whiCh do not, however, drbar her from
sending representatives to Genoa--arc the
result Of French nsistcuc", and are part
of the pric" which the British Premier paid
for the prompt Endorsement Of his program.
While It IS idle to expect that national
fears and prcjudtccs will b" entirely elimi-
mated from the proceedings, every effort will
be made to contnc the argument to economic
questions vital not only to the welfare of
Europe but of all civilization.
1t is in this broadest aspect of the work
in which the United States is concerned.
This Government il to receive an invitation
TO the parley, and either as spectators or
direct participants our delegates will be
welcome.
1t is important for Americans to realize
| that their prejudces against political all-
! ances are not involved in this situation.
| Economic reconstruction, once begun in
| Europe, would be operative from China TO
Peru.
There should be inspiration in the fact
| that par0chialism has already been re-
nounrcd by the Allied Council in program
| grounded in the bedrock Of realities