Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1922-06-15

A lie Oh luc NtthNh~'NN
dIcated to the task of making polltlcai
arrangements for the re-cntry OF Russia
into the concert of Lations
The conference was called 20 order
ia the Peace Palace this afternoon ny
the Dutch foreign minister, NaA har-
nesbeek. Sixty delegates, representing
about thirty countries are present.
The new European economic
conferens which opens today in the
Peace Palace at the Hague Is called TO
consider questions relating to Russia
in her economic relations with her neigh
bors. II l. virtually an adjournment of
the Genoa conference, which came 70 an
end the latter part Of May without hav-
ing reached any solution of Russian
problems. The decision to postpone nc
tion concerning Russia was induced
largely by the desire Of the European
powers 10 persuade the United States
to participate. But the American gov
trnment Is not to be represented at The
Hague any more than II was at the cons
ference in Italy.
While the Genoa conference was nom-
inally economic. it soon developed ami
mated political discussions. The Hauge
gathering composed exclusively Of ex-
pcrts, ii designed to be confined solely
10 the consideration Of economic ques-
tions.
When the American government de-
clincd on May IL TIE invitation 10 to
represented Ut the Hague, this decision
was received with expressions Of re-
gret in Europe, principally from Great
Britain and France, for il was felt
abroad that nothing Of a permanent and
international nature could be under
taken for the restoration Of Russia with
out The cooperation Of the United States
whose wealth, resources and political
power made her Indispensable to any
great world restoration movement.
The Washington government in refus-
nix TO 80 TO The Hague. criticized the at
titude of Russia as a bar 10 any settle
mcnt and characterized the Soviet reply
to the Allied terms a. lacking any def
initeness as basis for n parley. Never
thelesS. Washington said. the Ameri-
can government always was ready to join
other governments in arranging for an
inquiry by experts into the economic
situation in Russia and the necessary
remedies.
This government" the American COM
munication said, lis unable to conclude
that il helpfully participate in the
meeting at The Hague. a. this would ap-
pear TO be the continuance under a diff
fercnt nomenclature of the Genoa con-
ference and destined TO encounter the
same difficulties il the attitude disclos-
lrI ia M. pmuUsap .F
III remains unchanged.
"The unacceptable and ultimate ques-
tion." the note said also. would appear
10 be the restoration Of productivity in
Russia. the essential conditions or which
are still to be secured and must in the
nature of things he provided within
Russia herself"
Secretary Hoover speaking in Wash
ington May ID on the American refusal
to attend the Hague gathering. said the
American government still maintained
there could be no recognition of Soviet
Russia unless the government Of Moscow
conformcd 10 the principles Of safety Of
life, recognition Of firm guarantees OF
private property, the sanctity Of a con-
tract and the rights of free lagor. Until
these things were established and car
ried out. Mr.. Hoover said he held with
Secretary Of State Hughes that there
could be no productivity in Soviet Rus
sia.
France, early in June. in a memoran-
DUN 10 the powers concerned. demanded
that the Soviet Russia government with
draw its memorandum presented AT the
Genoa conference May IL as condi-
ton for French participation at The
Hague. This note Of May IL, presented
to the powers at Genoa. declared the
Soviets' reputation Of Russia's nation
debt, as had been suggested at Genoa.
and refused TO establshthe bases of se-
curity regarded as fundamentally neces-
sary for the restoration Of productivity
in Russia; it also claimed financial dam
ages for the participation of the Allies
in military operations against the Sow
let regime.
The French government set forth GER
tain arguments strikingly similar to
those which earlier had come out of
Washington. Premier Poincare declar-
ed the reconstruction Of Russia depend
cd upon the revival Of agricultural pro-
duction and this, he said. could not be-
obtained without a change in regime
that would assure the peasants the pro-
cecds Of their labor. NJ Poincarc refer
red specifically ~ the attitude Of the
Soviet government With respect TO its
refusal TO restore the property Of fore
igners; 70 indemnify owners for dam
ages sustained. or recognize the Rus
, sian debt. This debt. he said. should he
4,I III - L.LN ~
the Allies whom settlement was reach
cd. provided Russia had agreed TO the
, same conditions as the Allies. hut there
! was no reason to accord Russia excep-
! tional treatment in reducing her war