The New York herald., 1922-05-26
SORRY U. S. DID NOT
JOIN, SAYS PREMIER
Answers His Critics That He
Had Appealed to America
to Come.
NO QUARREL WITH FRANCE
Would Be Glad TO Work With
French Democracy for
European Peace.

Special Gable to THE NEW YORK HEsALD.
Copyright, fsss, by THE New York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
London, May 20.
| Premier Lloyd George. by the force
of his personality and the logic with
which he explained how the British dele
cation at the Genoa conference had gone
the limit to bring Europe together for
peace without sacrificing British inter-
ests or the friendship of France, domi-
mated the House of Commons tonight
and inspired response from the men,
bers which clearly equallcd, II 1t did
not surpass, any hour of triumph in his
career.
He refused to consider Genoa closed.
He said that the work was going on
and expressed high hopes of ultimate
success which would rival any diplo-
matte achievement in the history Of the
world.
Dramatically the Prime Minister de-
clared II am proud that, took lead
ing part in upholding and fighting for
| the high ideals which will be associated
with the great conference at Genoa.
The prolonged cheers which greeted this
statement were accepted as an emphatic
Endorsement of his efforts.
LOIQ INODcTt StCil SQSSSotCo ~ ihh5bA
be possible to get the United States to
take part in q conference even II 1t were
| necessary to abandon The Hague meet
| ing and arrange some economic meeting
in which the Washington Government
would participate.
| Mr.. Lloyd George replied: 1--WE have
invited, pleaded and used every method
except force to get America to Genoa
and likewise to The Hague"
~. r H. N%-&t,
ington Evans said he understood the
Bank of England was prepared to call
meeting of the central banks to con-
slider the economic conditions of Europe.
| and that the United States Federal He
serve Bank was willing to participate.
| The long awaited Genoa conference
debate with a crowded stage set despite
| the Sitting heat, developed into three
| acts. The Prime Minister opened with
| long statement repeating his objects, an
alyzing the difficulties he faced, ex-
| planning how he surmounted them and
sketching the glowing possibilities that
resulted.
OppositiOn weaker.
! I'VE have captured positions from
which further advance may be made,
Mr.. Lloyd George said. He contented
! himself with generalities and then gave
| tho opposition q chance to criticize
This. according to the judgment or the
majority of listeners proved even
weaker than had been expected on the
part OF Herbert Asquith. Lord Robert
Cecil and John r. Clynes.
| After two hours of this Mr.. Lloyd
| George arose again and with his most
formidable parliamentary keenness pro
ceeded to ridicuha the objections and
endeavored to show how any other steps
would have been wrong. Several sharp
tits developed. especially with Lord
Robsrt Cecil. who lost his temper The
Prime Minister evoked repeated APP
plause with his arguments and much
laughter with his wit and good natuEt.
until before adjournment the spirit vf
the House had relaxed and there was
an atmosphere of buoyancy. The public
| gallery which was packed regarded this
as signal of triumph for the Premier.
Mr.. Asquith declared that he consid-
cred the results of the conference to be
depressing and distressingly meager
He said that those with whom he was
associated indorsed the objects OF the
conference, which were admirable, but
he asked what the net results were and
IL the world had advanced a single step
toward the regulation Of the economic
position of Russia and the rest Of
Europe as the result of the conference.
The conference. Mr.. Asquith went on
to say. relegated that question to The
Hague, and added that he was sorry
the conference had not provided more
solid and useful results.
II He said that the conference ignored
the one thing on which the reestablish-
ment of credit and the free intercourse
! leading to the ultimate restoration of
Europe depended and that was the regu-
lation OF debts and the making of a
generous remission of British claims.
Regrets Americas Absence.
Lord Robert Cecil said he regretted
that the United States had not taken
part In the conference and added that
IL would be worth while even to abandon
The Hague conference IL there were any
chance at all OF arranging some eco
nomic conference in which the United
States could take part. He said he
approved the Genoa conference, ou;
criticized the methods employed.
Mr.. Lloyd George in answering Lord
Robert Cecil said he had properly de-
scrbed the Russo German agreement as
a very foolish document, aad added
1T Is document that was not con-
cluded at the Genoa conference. 1t was
prepared before the conference. 1 was
anxious not to do anything TO embar-
rass the German Government by enter
lhlo IdCts, Dul was IOItcu 10 uo 50.
Germany was put on every political
commission and sub-commission on
terms OF perfect equality with every
other Power In two or three days be
fore the work of the conference had
developed Germany goes behind our
backs and signs a separate treaty with
Russia. Does any one say that that
was justified by anything that | nad
done?
"He who Is noble Lord says: But
there were private conversatlons Were
there no private conversations at the
League of Nations meeting? Did he
have no private conversations about the
League of Nations with President Will
son? or course he had. These are an
essential part to the transaction OF bus
mess in any great conference. Take the
Washington conference. That would
never have come to such triumphant
end if II had not been for the fact that
l Mr. Balfour, Secretary Hughes and the
Japanese delegates had constant CONVEX
sations together before they came into
full conference. When the noble lord
says that the conference should have
been without private conversations be-
tween the leading men he is talking OF
something which he must know from
his own experience Is faulty (cheers)
hope he will not be misled by his own
glittering rhetoric into the conclusions
which he is trying to force on us
"He comes to the case OF France. O,
course a serious disagreement with
| France is one of the most disastrous
/ ~ - -. A 4.