The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1922-04-08
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Especial Dispatch to The Reformer.
Copyright 1922.


WASHINGTON, April S.-America's
policy toward the Genoa conference is
having a profound effect upon Europe
and diplomacy. Notwithstanding the de
cision of the United States government to
refrain from official participation.
Through official channels the viewpoint
of the American government has been in
formally explained in a way that has
tended to remove some of the first disap-
pointment which Europe experienced
when the text of the American declina-
ton was made public. In other words,
/ hOpeaof American cooperation at later
date has been held out as certain re-
suit of the Genoa conference If 1t Is sue
cessful in putting Europe's house in or
der The United States government Is
drawing a distinction between political
and economical cooperation. and is ln-
sisting that because of the political
phases of the Genoa program the United
/ States must be absent Europeans can
not see much of q distinction between po-
litical and economic problems because the
/ settlement of one is inter-related with the
| solution of the other. Some Europeans
/ have gone so far as to suggest directly
among themselves that the political part
+ of the problem is really III the United
! States where the isolation group has from
/ the inception of the Versailles treaty
! fight managed to squelch the enthusiasm
I of these fayoring international co-opera-
I ton.
Harding Is Encouraged.
! But the Harding administration is not
/ so forceful in opposition on foreign policy
as it was when the invitation to Genoa
had To be answered. Since that time a
! two-thirds vote has ratified n treaty in
I vOlving international cooperation on mat
! tiers 1000 miles away in the Pacific and
all the other treaties have gone through
/ the senate with an overwhelming vote.
! Stimulated by the formation of bi-par-
tisan group under the leadership of Sena-
tors Lodge and Underwood. the admin
iStra ton looks more hopefully to the flu
ture
The criticism. however. which orig
inally was voiced against the Genoa con-
ference still continues. The feeling Is
that too much IS being attempted and
that any items which deal with revision
| of arrangements for European pacifca-
ton must remain outside of American
action or even suggestion. This isn't to
/ say, however, that informally the United
/ States does not welcome any settlement
that Will be effective as between Euro
] pean nations. There is no thought that
/ Great Britain and France win adopt a
policy toward Russia with which the
United States cannot ultimately agree.
NJ
of settlement of the German reparation
problem through indirect influence eX-
erted at the Genoa conference.
Wants an Understanding.
So far as the United States is CON
cerned, it is hoping and expressing in as
fOrceful a way as an outsider can the
desire to see European nations come TO
an understanding at Genoa. which will
make easier the solution of broad eco
nomic problems. If only Il preliminary
agreement on economic questions can be
reached at Genoa, it would be considered
as substantial progress. The significant
thing is that the United States has not
closed the door to economic cooperation
and has told Europe she can expect
American interest and help when the
proper bases of settlement are built.
The Hoover viewpoint still runs through
the attitude of the Harding administra-
tion-and Europe knows now that when
it has given convincing demonstration of
its ability to settle vital European prob
lens, the participation of America in fu-
ture international conferences on trade
and economic matters is an inevitable
step.
Great Britain understands the Ameri-
can viewpoint clearly and there is every
reason to believe that Prime Minister
Lloyd George will base his appeals for
harmony and effective action at Genoa on
statement of what in effect is America s
position. He will plead for success on
the ground that failure will drive Amer
lea further away from Europe. while
success will bring the United States into
closer cooperation on economic recon
struction. America as an outsider may
/ have more influence on the result of the
| Genoa conference than any of the partici-
pants.