Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-06-04
Hinges on RcpnrationS

L the Baltimore Sun, in a special cable
dispatch TO his paper from London, says
that the feeling in European political cir
Giles is that The Hague conference will ac
cOmplish nothing by way OF finding sOlu
ton for EurOpes economic troubles There
is Il strong probability that France will have
nothng 10 do with ii, III fact, Premier
Poincare already has Indicated that France
will abstain from participation unless il is
well established in advance that the confer
ence is TO discuss economic subjects alone
and that the discussion will take place be-
tween experts. as distinguished from diplo-
mats. 1t is expected that the French Cham
Der will give him free hand with the
surance that Parliament will support him If
lie finds the arrangements for the meeting
do not give sufficient guarantees that il will
not be mere continuation of the Genoa
conference. Moreover, the attitude of
France is strengthened by the refusal of
the United States to participate because of
its belief that no good can come of it.
But while The Hague conference seems
hopeless, Mr. Kent says it is perfectly plain
that the British and French as we'll rs the
Germans, arc pinning their faith 10 the
Morgan committee now meeting in Paris.
If this committee can see it's way clear
TO authorize the big loans for which il
is seeking a basis OF adequate security. the
way will speedily open up for the allevia-
ton of Europcs economic distress. Hence,
everybody is waiting on the Morgan COM
mittee Ii il can arrange for the conces-
siOns it deems necessary in respect to the
separations issue, the solution OF that prob
lem would be a tremendous tonic for the
whole situation. II is conceded thar this
matter Of separations is at the heart OF all
Of Europe's economic troubles. Secretary
Gin
stated that The failure to include the repa-
rati0ns question for discussion was one OF
the chief reasons why the United States
could not afford to take part in the Genoa
conference. The question therefore, OF
satisfactory arrangement as 10 reparations
i the problem that must be overcome be-
fore the Morgan committee OF world bank
ing interests will release the money that
is required TO set tho wheels of Europe's
Industrial machinery to whirring.
Everywhere hope is high" says Mr.
Kent, that this committee will arrange
the international loan on which the whole
settlement hinges. Such loan will mean
TO Germany release from the crushing repa-
ration burdens and give her chance to
pay her obligations without continuing liv-
ing on the brink of an abyss. To France
ii means the ready money in which she
necessity Of playing the role OF the military
bully OF Europe. To Great britain ii means
The triumph Of her policy OF European re-
conciliation and reconstruction, through
which British business can be restored and
British unemployment cured. The diff
Guilty is to make the loan sufficiently large
so that France, tempted by the hard cash
viii make the concessions necessary to rem
der the security acceptable to International
bankers"
The developments of the present week
therefore" Will likely determine whether the
politicians will yield TO the necessities of
situation for which they could bring no
relief and give their assent to n plan for
mulatcd by men who understand what is
needed TO set Europe on its feet, or whether
conflicting national ambitions will continue
thSy Will stubhornly pursue their own po-
it!cal schemes OF set-seokng, in which
I" delay recovery OF desperately sick Flu
rope