The New York herald., 1922-01-13
In NO HURRY TO JOIN
ECONOMIC PARLEY
Washington Would Not Agree
to Debt Cancellation and
Holds AlOof.
FOR EUROPE TO MOVE
Gompers Opposed to Ameri-
cans Sitting at Table
With BoIsheviki.
FOR EUROPE TO MOVE

WASH INGroN. Jan. 12.-DeterlnirIatio
Of the Administrations attitude toward
participation in the international eco
nomic conference called to meet at
Genoa in March may be delayed as a
result of the resignation OF Premier
BRAND OF France. 1t is the intention of
the Administration to avoid haste in
deciding its course according to high
officials.
So far the United States has not
agreed to participate in the Genoa con-
ference, it was said at the State De-
partment to-day in response to in
quiries arising from the statement by
NJ. BRAND in the Chamber of Deputies
at Paris that the American Government
had agreed to take part in the meeting.
Until the scope of the contemplated
conference discussions are known the
United States also scarcely will be able
to determine the advisability of taking
part in the proceedings. in the view Of
high officials. and for this reason it is
believed receipt Of the agenda for the
meeting will be awaited before the diff
frent factors to be considered by the
Government in reaching its decision can
be studied.
It developed in Informal conversa-
tions that II the United States Govern.
ment took an active part in the eco
nomic restoration of Europe 1t would
mean concessions or sacrifices" on a
large scale, and these, Il was felt could
rot be made by the American Govern
mont and people at this time. The can
collation. or scaling down OF debts ow-
ing by European Governments to the
American Government could not be
thought of now. at least, and conse-
quently it was considered that 1t would
be necessary for Europe to leave this
factor out of consideration. and that It
would be necessary for the two strong
est economic organisms. those OF France
and Great Britain. to take the leader
ship in European economic restoration.
Believed America AI0of.
The call for the economic conference.
determined upon by former Premier
BRAND and Lloyd George at Cannes.
was largely the result, It Is understood,
OF the conviction reached by both Prime
Ministers that the United States Gov
ernment would not take the initiative.
M. BRAND, while here, made careful un-
official Inquiries as to the attitude Of
President Harding and of Secretary
Hughs, Mr.. Hoover, Mr.. Mellon and
others with the result that before his
departure on November 25 he formed
the impression that IL the arms confer
ence was u notable political success for
America there might be disposition
to take the lead In calling an interna-
tional economic conference to deal with
the financial disorders Of Europe.
The disposition on the part OF per-
sons near the Administration. however.
was that any real consideration of an
economic conference could not be given
until the arms conference had shown
conclusively that an International con-
ference with q limited program could
take constructive action.
Important members OF the French
delegation continued. after NJ. BRANDS
departure, to sound certain members
of President Harding's Cabinet as to the
possibility OF the United States Gov
Crnment taking an active part In an eco
nomic conference. This resulted. II is
understood. In supplementary advices
going forward TO NJ. Briand to the ef-
feet that the State of American public
opinion was regarded by the Govern
ment as being opposed to any consd-
erable effort or sacrifice on the part Of
America to aid Europe unless military
establishments were further reduced not
only in France but in other European
countries, notably in the Balkan States.
and that the sums demanded by the
Allies Of. Germany were also consider
ably mo0ned. The general attitude Of
America was that Europe should herself
show some courage and leadership in
working out plan for her salvation.
Gompers objects to Bolsheviki.
objection to the Genoa conference was
made to-day by Samuel Gompers. presi-
dent of the American Federation OF
Labor, In a formal statement in which
ne advocated the conference idea. but
asserted that an economic conference
should be called by the United States tu
discuss program fixed by the United
States.
!, "There is.'' he said, mo place in q,
international conference for Lenine and
Trotzky." adding that his objection was
to the action of the Allied Supreme
Council, which constitutes recognition OF
the Sovicts as the de facto Government
OF Russia"
"The Soviets do not constitute de
facto government to-day any more than
they did year ago" Mr.. Gompers said
1.-THE Soviet power Is as treacherous to-
day as II was then. Nothing ha:
changed except the ideas Of expediencs
entertained by some leading European
politicinaA. and the American Fedora.
ton OF Labor does not arrive at its con.
victions on the basis Of their ideas ol
political advantage.
THE British Government for one ha'
played fast and loose with the Russiar
question. 1t succumbed to the 'tradt
with Russia propaganda, but it got M
trade. What IL did get was a continua
tion of Bolshevist betrayal. The Sovis
autocracy is winning. evidently at ieas.
q temporary victory In Europe. bu
there is no indication that its success,
will extend 10 the United States. TIL,
autocracy Of Lcnine is as clumsy. selflsl
and brutal now as year ago.