Daily Kennebec journal., 1922-04-11
Tuesday, April II, 1922. ,
RUSSIAN RECOGNITION

The so-called economic conference
which opened at Genoa, Italy. yes
terday, has on it's representation thir-
ty-four states. most of which are
much interested in the resumption OF
normal relations with Fussia. Such
being the conditions the Bolshevists
are in a position to exact terms which
otherwise would perhaps not be
thought of for a moment.
It is worthy of note that North
America is represented at this confer
ence only by Canada and South
America not at all. In consequence
of this it will be a conference OF
neighbors trying to establish inter-
course with each other on advantage
GUS terms, to arrange for the payment
of debts and the terms of payment.
all of which is seen at once to be a
very complicated matter. For instance
France will not wish to have the Ger
man reparations considered, but can
scarcely prevent it. II the conference
shall accomplish any results not
country in the world but will be af-
fected by the decision.
rManifestly one of the changes that
will be sought will be the reduction OF
the army which threatens Russa's
neighbors and along with German re-
luctance to pay her debts, sustains
Frances excuse for maintaining a
large army. 1t was to bring about
reduction of armaments that the
Washington Conference was called
and so successfully carried out. 1t
will be remembered that France then,
as she does now, protested her inabil-
ity to disarm under the impending
threat of Russian and German armies.
One of the news dispatches from
Silesia, Sunday, was to the effect thai
20 French soldiers were killed while
hunting for arms, having set off a
mine laid to protect cache of fire.
arms. 1t is not surprising that France
seeing huge standing army kept by
soviet Russia and facing the possibil-
ity Of GerHany turning to Russia for
cooperation feels the need of a large
army. Yet 1t is draining her life blood
> and she may not get hack to the full
measure of growth so long as this
condition exists.
So evident is the need of Europe
limiting its armaments and saving it's
energies for the works Of peace that
every inducement will be made at the
Genoa conference to bring this about.
Lloyd George is endeavoring to have
Russia promise to reduce it's army as
the price for recognition.1 Though how
he may obtain the, slightest security
that the promise will be kept is
mystery, which perhaps he isn't try
ing to solve. The appeal made to the
imagination by this proposed reduc-
tion of armies and limitation of srma
ments Is 80 great that the tendency
will be to accept the shadow for the
substance and trust to the future to
make the promise true. One Wash
ngton correspondent reports that
President Harding is inclined to
grant recognition to the Russian re-
gime il any tangible pledge is given
by them to reduce armies and afford
the peasantry a chance. Hughes and
Hoover of the cabinet, however, are
said yet to be skeptical and those
who are believed to speak with best
knowledge OF the Russian people and
actual conditions there are averse to
recognition as designed to strengthen
the hands Of Lenine. Aside from the
desirea which all decent minded people
must have to see energy now divert
cd to warlike purposes turned to pro-
duction and the pursuits OF peace, It
is very evident that the impelling. in
.fuence driving Lloyd George to rec
ognition is the matter of trade. and
this country is in position such that
, 1t is driven to recognition by no such
influence: we have opportunity to
carefully weigh the whole situation
end decide on the merits.