New-York tribune., 1922-03-09
America Cannot Attend a
Meeting W here Primary
Economic Problems Are
Excluded, Hughes Says
Harding Hopes for
Eventual Settlement
Believes Discussion While
Armament Treaties Are
Before Senate Would
Fail Of Lasting Results
By Carter ield

WASHINGTON, March S.
America declined to-day to partici-
pate in the Genoa conference. Tie
refusal is based on the belief that
the Genoa conference is not designed
TO be an economic discussion at all.
but political conference. Secretary
Hughes bluntly states in his note
dispatched to Italy.
Questions appear to have been
excluded from considerations" Mr..
Hughes wrote, without the salts
factory determination of which the
chief causes of economic disturbances
must continue to operate
Canno. Discuss Politics
On the other hand. Mr.. Hughes
insists, the conference is rather "ot
a political character, in which The
government Of the United States
70 Id rot helpfully participated
While asserting strongly that Il
Is the belief of the Administration
that the American people would no,
approve the entry of this country
into political conference regarding
European questions, the hope is ex-
pressed that progress may be made
IN preparing the way for the even
tual discussion and settlement of the
Fundamental economic and financial
questions relating to European re-
cuperation which press for solu-
ton"
The paragraphs Of to-day's note VIZ,
regard to Russia caused great surprise
here. This government virtually serves
notice on Europe that no attempt mus,
be made 10 settle European economic
problems by disposing Of tho resources
Of Russia. The open door must hs
maintained in that country. this gov
crnment asserts, while at the same tins
the fiat statement is made that It is fu-
tile TO attempt to solve Europes fnar-
cial mess without restoring Russia to
productivity.
United States Stand Emphasized
Reference is made in the notc to tho
position taken three weeks after Pres;
dent Hardinc's inauguration in the fol-
lowing note TO Russia:
pe government Of the United Stases
views with deep sympathy and gravs
concern the plight Of the people o;
Russia and desires TO aid by every az
propriate means IL promoting proper
opportunities through which commerce
can be established upon a sound bash.
1t Is manifest TO this government thai
III existing circumstances there IS no
assurance for the Development OF trade.
. as the supplies which Russia might now
be able to obtain would lie Wholly IN
adequate to meet her needs. and no
lasting good can result 50 long as the
present causes of progressive impo}-
erIshmcnt continue 10 operate
1T IS only in the productivity o.
! Russia that there is any hope for The
Russian people, and it is idle 10 expecr
resumption Of trade until the economic
bases of production are securely estab
lished. Production is conditioned upon
the safety Of life. The recognition b.
| firm guarantees OF private property ths
sanctity of contract and the rights OF
free labor.
''lf fundamental changes are conten,-
/ plated. involving due regard for the
| protection of persons and property sno
! the establishment OF conditions essen
! tial to the maintenance Of commerce
this government will be glad To have
convincing evidence OF the consummo-
tion of such changes, and until this
evidence is supplied this government i
unable to perceive that there is an,
! proper basis for considering tradt "a.
] lations."
! This is the nearest to hint that
America may participate in some fu-
| ture European conference which will
actually be economic in character sn.-
not political which is contained in tn:
note.
1t is known. however. that the Ad-
mipistration has been anxious for som :
time that something should be done
toward paving the way for solution.
of the European economic situation.
President Harding and his advisers ara
convinced that only through the res
toration Of Europe TO solvency, so that
il can buy American products and sell
It's own, can real prosperity be restored
to this country. Not only that, bus
every one connected with the Admins
tration knows that the 1924 election.
will be determined more on the busi-
ness condition of this country at that
time than on how experts would ap-
ministration.
Harding Hoped for Delay
1t was hoped for long time by
President Harding that the proposed
Genoa conference would be postponed