The Mankato free press., 1922-06-16
HOPES OF EUROPE
[centInued From Page onel

Russia in her economic relations with
her neighbors. It is virtually an ad-
journment of the Genoa conference,
which came to an end the latter part
Of May without having reached any
solution of Russian problems. The
decision to postpone action Concern
ing Russia was induced largely by the
desire of the European powers to
persuade the United States to parti-
cipate. But the American government
any more than it was at the conference
While the Genoa conference was
nominally economic. 1t soon, developed
animated political discussions. The
Hague gathering. composed exclusive
fined solely to the consideration of
economic questions.
When the American government de-
clined on May, Is the invitation to be
represented at The Hague. this deci-
sion was. received with expressions Of
Great Britain and France. for it was
felt abroad that nothing Of a perma-
nent and international nature could
be. undertaken for the restoration Of
Russia without the cooperation of the
United States. whose wealth, re-
sources and political power made her
indispensable to any great world re-
storation movement.
Criticized Russian Attitude.
The Washington government in re-
fusing TO go to The Hague, criticized
the attitude of Russia as a bar to any
settlement and characterized the So
Wet reply to the allied terms as lack
ing any definiteness as basis for a
pariey. Nevertheless Washington said,
the American government always was
ready to join other governments In
arranging for an inquiry by experts
inf the a1opopnin situation in Russia
and the necessary remedies.
"This government" the American
communication said, ais unable to
conclude that II can helpfully partici-
pate in the meeting at The Hague, as
uance under a different nomenclature
of the Genoa conference and destined
to sncouter the Same difficulties IL the
attitude disclosed in the Russian me-
morandun Of May II remains un-
changed.
THE inescapable and ultimate ques-
ton" the note said also, would ap-
pear to be the restoration of produc-
tivity in Russia, the essential condi-
tions of which are still to be secured
and must in the nature of things be
provided within Russia herself"
Secretary Hoover speaking in WASH
ington Nav Is on the American refu-
sal to attend the Hague gathering:
said the American government still
md1nIalneQ IIleTe COulu DC IlO ISSOSIi-
ton of Soviet Russia unless the gov
ernment of Moscow conformed to the
principles of safety of life, recogni-
ton Of firm guarantees of private pro-
perty, the sanctity of a contract and
the rights of free labor, Until these
things were established and carried
out, Mr.. Hoover said he held with
Secretary of State Hughes that there
could be no productivity in Soviet Rus
sia.
Demands Made BY France. ~
France early in June, in a memoir
andun to the overs concerned, de-
manded that the Soviet Russian gov
ernment withdraw its memorandum
presented at the Genoa conference
May IL as a condition for French par
ticipation at The Hague. This note of
May II, presented to the powers at
Genoa, declared the Soviets' rcpudia-
ton of Russia,s national debts and In
ternational obligations and refused 10
establish the bases of security re-
garded as fundamentally necessary for
the restoration Of productivity In Rus
sia; It also claimed heavy financial
damages for the participation of the
Allies in military operations against
the Soviet regime.
The French government set forth
certain arguments stridngiy siniln- e