The New York herald., 1922-04-11
LLOYD GEORGE SEES
NATIONS ASSEMBLING
ALL ON EQUAL TERMS
Object Is to Find Best Way to Restore Prosperity,
Without Aggression and Recognizing One
Another's Contracts and Institutions With
Equal Justice in Courts

1erOclty and determination, Europe ls
deafened by this canine clamor.
1T is undignified: it is distracting;
it destroys confidence; it has ratified
the nerves OF a nerve ruired continent,
and we shall only make real con-
tribution to the restoration Of Europe
4 at this conference we can stop the
snarling. Europe needs rest. quiet,
tranquillity-that is. she needs peace.
IF we act together in the same
spirit we shall succeed. Not in a
spirit Of greedy vigilance over selfish
interests, but with common desire
to do the best to restore the world to
its normal condition of health and
vigor. We shall do SO If we measure
the success Of this conference by the
good we achieve, not by the good we
prevent. We must not roll powders
in front OF the plow. Let us think
more of what can be accomplished
than what can be restricted.
Weight OF Public Opinion.
I'VE have all of us one common re-
striction in the public opinion of our
own countries. The public opinion of
one country is concentrated perhaps
mora upon one aspect OF affairs, the
public opinion OF another country upon
different object. That undoubtedly
creates difficulties. 1t is not easy to
reconcile these divergent opinions.
even when they are not conflicting.
but public opinion is not a rigid
fact. like the Alps or the Apennines;
1t is amenabIe to guidance. to direc-
ton. to the appeal of reason and con-
science. and / feel confident that in
every way it will yield good deal TO
an appeal made to it's mind and heart
by the common craftsmanship Of Eu-
rope. 1t can be taught that the good
of another country is not necessarily
an evil for it's own: on the contrary.
that which benefits all the lands must
necessarily be best for its own.
The world is one economic unit.
Economically it is not even two hem
ispheres--it is one round unbroken
sphere. For that reason / regret that
the great American republic Is not
represented here. However. much
that has happened and Is happening In
Europe makes Americans cautious in
interfering in our affairs. But IL we
can set these things right at this con-
ference. ! feel sure America will not
merely come In but come in gladly.
Another Columbus wanted.
"A distinguished citizen OF this city
once upon time discovered America.
and as Genoa in the past discovered
America to Europe, / am hopeful that
Genoa once more will render another
immortal service to humanity by re-
discovering Europe to America.
"Thirty-four nations are repre-
sented at this table. and the interest
taken in the conference by the world
Is by no means exhausted by that
representation. Tie press of prac-
tically all the world is represented.
These representatives would not be
here IL the great publics, which. ac-
cording to their genius. they either
fortify and instruct or alarm and
chasten, were not deeply concerned in
our proceedings and anxious as to
the results.
The world will follow our delibera-
tions with alternate hopes and fears.
II we fail, there will be sense OF
despair which will sweep over the
whole world: IL we succeed. ray OF
confidence will illuminate the gloom
which is resting on the spirit Of man
kind.
Europe Is the cradle OF the great
civilization which during the last 500
years has spread across the globe
That civilization has been menaced
with destruction by the horrors of the
last few years. But il we do our duty
manfully, fearlessly. we shall prove
by this conference. meeting as 1t does
In a sacred week. that civilization is
capable of achieving its exalted pur-
pose by establishing on firm basis
peace and good will amongst men"