Evening star., 1922-01-05
The Council at Cannes.

In preliminary discussion of the
meeting of the supreme council OF
he allies with the purpose of formu-
ating some measure for European re-
construction, the st. Louis Globe
Democrat (republican) makes this OBJ
servation: Cannes is long way from
st. Louis. But the meeting there con-
Germs st. Louis, concerns the whole
United States, more intimately and
seriously. perhaps. than anything now
taking place within our borders. not
even excepting the conference at Wash
ington.'
The most significant fact is that
hey have decided to go ahead with
out u.s." is the opinion of the Newark
News (independen). which adds that
the prospect of such a conference
overshadows the meeting at Washing
ton with it's narrowly defined agenda
and its evasion of the really press
ing problems of the world. What does
the scrapping of a few old battleships
amount to in comparison with a
project to deal with the idleness and
misery apd social disintegration of
the world?" Despite the fact that, as
u
out. president Harding in his mes
sage to Congress made it plain that
the nations of Europe must look TO
themselves for means of rehabilita-
tion. although he expressed at the
same time the cordial sympathy of
the United states in their efforts at
betterment," the Buffalo News (re-
publican) believes cit may be that
our leadership will be solicited for
the settlement of the questions that
will be considered at Cannes"
Col. Harvey, still in his position OF
unofficial observer" will be present,
but the Brooklyn Eagle independent
democratic) predicts that ''his unof-
fetal observations will be uttered
more frequently and with more au-
thority," although the Boston Tran
script (independent republican, be- Pc
to a discussion of Europes economic
problems" the role of spectator is
sufficient. On the other hand, the AL
bany Knickerbocker Press (repub-
lican) upholds the view of small
but influential minority of Americans
who have had world experience or,
possess world insight" which is con-
vinced "that the economic and finan-
cial interests of the United States are
directly linked with those of Europe.
and the Brooklyn Eagle independent
democratic) further maintains that
non-participation in European af-
fairs since, to quote the Sioux City
Journal (republican), "the millions OF
unemployed in this country are with
out work because American Industry
Is unable to export its surplus"
eff this country seriously considers
betterment of world conditions" notes
the Wilmington IN. Co Star (demo-
cratic), "there must be more senti-
ment for a generous exchange of
commerce between all countries"
though the Pittsburgh Dispatch (in-
dependent) believes that the "aues-
tions that demand vigorous co-opera-
ton by European states cannot be
cured by action in America, but must
be well on the way. toward solution
before the United States can be of
service" The Presidents decision to
withhold aid from Europe until Eu-
rope itself has taken an initiative in
self-help sis not a bad one," thinks
the Columbia Is. c. Record (demo-
cratic) "but aid in the adjustment of
nations. which are willing to try to
help themselves should help the world
back to normalcy. We must resume
trade relations with the industrious
and honest nations of the earth. or
recede greatly from a leading posiz
tion ourselves"
The inclusion of Germany and Rus
sia in a later conference is regarded
by the Birmingham News (demo-
cratic) as a wise move. Nowadays"
it says, "it doesn't take a blooming
radical to suggest that it might be
worth while to leave off hate of Ger
many and contempt for Nicolai
Lenin long enough to talk business
with them and see what can be done
along the lines of International bet
terment." VERY plainly something
must be done to, relieve Germany,
Austria, Hungary, Rumania, Poland,
Czechoslovakia and Russia of the
smothering load of currency under
which they are struggling" says the
Muncie Star Independent repub-
lican), since when the paper cur
rency represents more than the total
value of everything in a country
there is no chance Of it's even ap-
proximating par"
The Lexington Leader (republican)
thinks sit is happy augury that
Great Britain and France, at least,
have agreed that the effort must be
made, and made quickly" to re
habilitate Russia and central Eu-
rope"
The Springfield Republican (inde-
pendent), pointing out that 'hither-
to conferences have been on a war
basis" feels that "for well-balanced
discussion a broader basis Is needed.
While the economic problems Of the
day arise from the late war. they
involve all countries in some de-
gree and the economic problems of