Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-05-16
ENGLAND IS SICK
Of WAR MONGERS
BY GEORGE N. BARNES
British Parliament Leader
Ueased Wire Service to The Journal.)
(CODvriCht 1927

(LeaSed Wire Service to The J0urndl.D
Copyright, 1929
LONDON, May 13.-England is
| sick of the war mongers. She de-
sires-only consistent with honor
and interest-to make provision for
avoidance of future wars. We want
world peace preserved and the
wheels of industry set in motion.
That was the object for calling the
conference of Genoa. In pursuing
those objects Premier Lloyd George
has the backing Of the British peo-
pie. This conference, now in
progress, possibly may be the last
opportunity of securing these desires
by concerted means.
The apparent friction between
Lloyd George and the French dele
gates, backed by Poincare, has had
a bad effect on public opinion here.
In Great Britain the entente spirit
already had been shaken by the
shocks of the Angora treaty and
the French attitude regarding dis
armament, especially at Washing
ton. We always are mindful of the
past sufferings and losses of France
and we are conscious Of the i'm
portance of Anglo-French solidarity.
But we desire to make the latter a
nucleus of European unity whereas
the present rulers of France seem
disposed to work rather for military
dominance in chaotic Europe. While
delicate negotiations were in prog
ress Poincare, quite unnecessarily,
it seemed to us, threatened isolated
military action against Germany and
put an affront on the British premier
by declining to meet him and other
slgnatories of the Versailles treaty
with a view to threshing out the
German position. Public opinion
here is troubled by these things and
would not, [ am sure, support
France in further military measures
without prior consent. And an over
whelming case would have to be
made out to secure such assent.
1t seems certain that if a COM
plete agreement cannot be worked
out from the Russian reply just
made to the allied note there must
begin a general scramble for Rus
sian concessions on the part of cap
italists everywhere as they will not
leave Germany free to scoop the
pool. The Russian attitude on finan-
cial questions seems to block
progress. No European govern
ment could make itself responsible
for investments that were not prop
erly safeguarded. Yet a satisfactory
solution Of all of the economic
problems would seem to be a con-
ditiOn precedent to disarmament and
affirmation of the non-aggressive
pact which are the primary objects
of the conference.
On these, though, Russia is will
ing to fall into line and as a matter
OF fact is showing a better spirit
than others from whom much more
might have been expected.
With the Russian note at hand,
the obstacles to complete success at
Genoa are two-fold. First, Belgium
and France demand the restoration
OF property of all non-nationalists
by Russia rather than the compen-
sations which probably could be OBJ
tanned from Russia were a united
front to be presented. Second, Rus
STA wants cash, rather than credits
but probably will agree to the latter
when pressed by the powers.
We in this country are willing to
grant credits and facilities in ex-
change for guarantees and we are
behind the prime minister in agree
Ing to accept compensation for lost
property in Russia, much of which,
Of course, could not be restored. We
want peace preserved and industry
resumed