New-York tribune., 1922-02-12
Belief Conference Will
Not Take Place Before
June Saves Him Ncccs-
sity Of Early Decision
Two Embarrassing
Factors Involved
Demand for Economic
Restoration and ltaIy's
Aid on Armament Tssues
By Carter Field

NS]1l.N nv II ON, Fcb. 1l.-Prcs dent
harding and his advisors are now alb
solutc'v sure that the Genoa confer
ehcc viii be postponed from the date
set N March to June at the earliest
ne request OF Premier Poincnre Of
France that the meeting should be
postponed for three months has not
been received as yet by this govern
ment, it was announced late to-day at
the State Department.. 1t was also
made clear that tho reply of this gov
ernment would not go forward to Rome
until the French note had been received
and considered.
It has been the desire Of President
Harding all along to avoid announcing
any decision on the Genoa conference
until all OF the business OF the arma-
ment conference should have been con-
cluded. This includes not only the act
ual negotiation of tho treaties hv tho
delegates, which was concluded a week
ego, but the ratification Of these
treaties by the Senate.
The President is fully cognizant Of
the opposition IN the Senate to
American participation in the Genoa
economic conference ct this time The
last thing he wants TO do is to Stir
up trouble in the Senate until after
the fight over the treaties he sub
nj cd !,
mcnis of The armament conference. is
over
But there arc two other factors
which arc embarrassing the Admins
tration One Of these is the psistcnt
demand of a large element in the
nation that this country should mako
some move loohjng toward the eco
Momc restoration cf Europe Prcsi-
dent Na riding himself has shown that
he appreciated the tremendous effect
on American prosperity which the sit
uation in Europe involves
The othtr element OF en- barrassment
Is 'aat the Prcsder; is keenly appre-
cistivc Of The part ltal. played IN The
armament limitation conference There
is a very strong feeling Of gratitude
ovcr tho way in which She Italian dele
gation supported practically every
move made by The American delegation.
and there is keen interest. incidentally.
il the frankly expressed desire of the
Italians for limitation Of land anna
mcnts and for completing the entire
scope Of the Washington conference
AT some later meeting.
Reluctant to Refuse Plea
II is therefore with feeling of
strong reluctance That tho President
has found il becoming appa rent that
he would have TO refuse to come to the
conferences at Genoa. Of which the
italian government viii be host, after
this hearty cooperation by tho Italians
at the Washington conference.
The DoiHcarc note, therefore. suc
cestin2 a postponcment, is what might
almost Nc termed diplomatic life
Inc. The suggcs ion is not only on
act,v What the Pres ident and his adj
viscrg have desired from the first. but
it offers means Of bringing about this
end which Will be much moro dipio-
matte than a Nat refusal TO take part
in tho conference unless tho GATE il,
stponrd.
Even such a reply. however. it was
learned from high sources in The Ad-
minis stration. win be carefully worced
The President is anxious, in taking ad-
vantage o! the French suggestion for
postponemcnt, to avoid making fat
statement that this country will par
ticipatc if The conference is postponed.
Such promise would at once precipi-
tate the very difficulties in the Senate
OH the whole international situation
which he has been seeking to avoid by
delaying an announcement
II is expected. therefore, that the
reply Of this government to italy's in
vitation will call attention to the
French governments desire for a post
ponement of the conference, and will
ask what tho probability is of snch
pos tpo cement being effected. There
VIII q SO. Of course. be cordial express
sions Of interest in The economic re-
habil;tation Of Europe, and very pleas
ant references to the aims and aspira