The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-12-31

international conferences. At Wash
ington the allies alone foregathered
At Cannes and Genoa nations came
emerged out OF deadly conflict with
each other.
AT each conference I met on both
sides men who had only just recov-
cred from severe wounds sustained IN
this struggle. At Cannes. French
Belgian, Italian and Japanese as well
as British ministers and experts, sat
down in council with German minis
tiers and experts to discuss the vexed
questions Of reparations without taunt
or recrimination. There was calm
recognition not only of the needs OF
the injured countries, but also of the
difficulties Of the offending state
Outside and beyond the German prob
lem there was a resolve to eliminate
all the various elements of disturb
ance, political and economic. that
kept Europe in ferment and made its
restoration impossible.
1t was decided to summon all late
belligerent nations to q great confer
ence at Genoa to discuss reconstruc-
ton. To these were added the neu-
trail nations of Europe. 1t was &
great decision.
There We're three obstacles in the
way OF realizing the program. First
was the stipulation OF France that
specific problems raised by the Treaty
of Versailles should be excluded alto
gether from the purvieW of the con-
ference. This was a grave limitation
Of its functions and chances. SILL.
if the Cannes sittings had continued
an arrangement might have been ar
rived at there together, and then with
the Germans, which would have help
ed the deliberations Of Genoa.
The second Cpstacie was the re-
fusal of America to participate in the
discussions. Why? There We're
probably good reasons for that re
fusal, but the Recording Angel alone
knows them all fully and accurately.
The third obstacle was the fall OF
the BRAND ministry and the substi-
tuition Of a less sympathetic admin
istration.
In spite OF an these serious draw
backs Genoa accomplished great
things. 1t brought together into the
same rooms enemies who had not met
for years except on the battlefield.
They conferred and conversed around
the same table for weeks-at confer
ences, committees and sub-cornl!t-
tees They broke bread and drank
wine together at the same festive
boards. Before the conference came
to an end there was an atmosphere
Of friendliness which was in itself a
guarantee of peaceable relations, for
the delegates who represented the
nations at Genoa were all men of real
influence in their respective coun=
tries.
But however important the intangi-
BILE result, there was much more
achieved. Thirty nations represent
ed in assembly entered into a solemn
pact not to commit aRy act OF as
Sressiou against their neighborS
When they entered the conference
thars were few Of them who were
not oppressed with suspicious that
these neighbors meditated violence
against their frontiers. When they
arrived at Genoa they were all anN-
ious for peace but apprehensive OF I'M
pending war. Genoa dispelied those
anxleties:
one Of the most promising results
Of the pact and the improved at
mospheric conditions out OF when II
arose is a substantial reduction IN
the Rolshevik army. It has ALREADY
hAen reduced 10 tAIo
the French army and We are now
a further reduction OF 20
percent.
That removes a real menace to
European peace. If a reduction OF
armies in the East of Europe Is fol-
lowed by q corresponding reduction
in the West the reign OF peace Is not
distant, ,,, .,
This is not the time to dwell upon
The important agreements come to at
Genoa or questions OF exchange
credit and transport: AL the recon
made depend for their
successful carrying out on the es-
Adjustment Of real peace and 1rleno-
Nv understanding between nations;
Peace and good will on earth Is sun
ihe only healing evangel for ideahsts
10 preach and statesmen to pfactlse.
without 1t, plans and protocols must
fail.
where does Peace stand?
The weary angel is still on ~:ng'
for the waters have not yet suosldeo.
She may, perhaps, find foothold in
the great West, and Britain is fairly
safs-not get ireland. But the con
t!nsnt Of Europe Is still swampy and
Insecure,
The debate in the French chamber
on reparations 10 net encouraging.
The only difference OF opinion in the
was that displayed between