The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-05-17
DOOR OPEN FOR
PARTICIPATION
HAGUE MEETING
Is Still Hopeful
That the United States
Will Decide To Take
Part In the Coming
June Conference

Genoa, May 17.-(By the Asso-
cated Press. Russia has accept
ed the proposals of the powers for
the meeting at The Hague to dis
cuss the Russian situation, it was
announced this afternoon.
In accepting the Russians pro-
posed certain notifications in the
plan which will be discussed at
meeting during the afternoon.
Up to Russians
Genoa, May 17.-(By the Associated
Press. THE attitude of the Russians
at today's session of the political sub
commission of the Genoa conference
will have a great influence on the
plans for the proposed meeting at The
Hague to discuss the Russian situa-
tion If they should be recalcitrant
and inclined to make ever wider de-
mands than heretofore, the French
delegates say it will be almost impos-
sible to persuade their government to
participate at The Hague
1t is believed here that the bearing
of the Russians may also have de-
cided effect on the attitude of the
United States. as Secretary Hughes
declination of the invitation to attend
The Hague meeting is not regarded as
final by the British and other delega-
tions. Prime Minister Lloyd George
stated he still hoped to influence the
United States to participate, and the
leaders of the Genoa conference are
planning further conference with
Washington.
After reflective consideration of the
note many prominent delegates also
felt it offered more hope than they at
first believed, and said that it was
worded so as to leave the way open
for further negotiations. When the
explanation was received that the note
left the door open for further con-
sideration, sincere satisfaction was ex-
pressed by all the delegations.
Mr. Lloyd George and Signor Schan-
zer declare that if there is a feeling
in America that they are inspired by
ulterior motives in asking the CO.
operation of the United States every
thing must be done to convince the
American people that this is a mis-
take.
The cooperation of America was
asked, they say, because no other
country enjoys her prestige and no
other country has her reputation for
imDartiality and disinterestedness.
Upon reading the account of the
statement issued at the White House,
NJ. Schanzer. who headed the Italian
delegation to the arms conference. ex-
claimed: Il wish l were back in Wash
ington to convince President Hard
ing and Secretary Hughes of the ne
cessity of America joining in The
Hague meeting"
France Sent Out "FeeIer"
Washington, May IL French
sources at Genoa prior to the issuance
by the economic conference of an in
vitation to the United States to par
ticipate in The Hague conference,
sent "feeler" to develop the Ameri-
can attitude toward such participa-
tion. it was learned today.
The American reply, it was said.
was sympathetic in character but
was not an acceptance. although ap-
narently construed at Genoa as fore.
casting participation by America. This
it was said today was the only ex-
planation that could be assigned in
official quarters here to the confu-
sion in European capitals which has
followed American declination of the
formal invitation.
The French proposal was of a gen.
eral nature and fixed no time or any
place for the suggested economic com
mission to meet.
The American reply crossed on the
cables the formal invitation to The
Hague meeting. and thN result, it
was said today. evidently was that
the American sympathetic attitude to.
ward the original French suggestion
was construed in some quarters
abroad as indicating acceptance of
the invitation to The Hague.
Geneva. May 17-(By the Associ-
ated Press)-The United States and
France are about to reach an agree
ment on the French mandate for
Syria. according to information reach
ing the Secretariat OF the League of
Nations. 1t is understood the Amer
ican governments approval is sub
iect to certain conditions which ap-
parently will be met. t..