The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-01-29
GENOA ACENDA
RECEIVED, BUT
NO REPLY MADE
U.S.Adheres to View That
Little Aid Can Be Given
On European Issues.

The Washington government yes
terday received the agenda for the
European economic conference at
Genoa.
No reply has even been drafted.
In fact. II is stated. the definite
American policy has not been de-
termined finally, although the ad-
ministration still adheres to the
vnew that this government couii
be of little service to Europe at
the conference at the present time
and under existing circumstances
abroad.
The agenda for Genoa as viewed
here is as follows:
l. Examination of methods for
placing in effective operation those
principles contained in the Cannes
resolutions of the allied supreme
council as of January 8. 1922.
2. The establishment of Euro
pean peace on a solid basis.
,. Consideration of conditions
necessary to re-establish confidence
without prejudicinE existing treat
les.
Variety of Problems.
4. Financial questions: (a) Cir
culation. OBJ central banks and
banks of issue. (c) public finance
with respect to the work of recon-
struction, Cd exchanges, (e) organ
iZation of public and private credit.
.. Economic and commercial
questions: (a) Facilities and guar
antees for import and export. (b)
legal guarantees for the resump-
tion of commerce, (c) protection OF
Industrial. literary. and artistic
properties, (d) consular regulations,
te) admission and status Of for
eigners in relation to their engage
ing in business. U) technical assist
ance in the work of Industrial re-
construction.
8. transportation.
Honest Effort Demand.
There is general skepticism here
in regard to the utility. or rather
futility of American participation
On account of a widespread belief
which is said to be entertained by
President Harding himself and by
his principal advisers. that the CALL
ing Of the Genoa economic confer
ence was premature, from Ameri-
cas- viewpoints not only because
IL comes too quickly after the
Washington conference. but primar-
lily because there is real doubt con-
corning the preparedness and the
Willingness OF the European nations
themselves to deal with European
economic porblems. which are part
" political. in an honest fashion
There appears to be no convincing
evidence in the hands of this gov
that Franco nrinrfna1lV
and other continental nations rec
ognize that at the bottom of their
economic difficulties are govern
mental causes, such as the main
tenance Of large standing armies;
inability. incapacity or unwilling
ness to perceive that these causes
must be removed before there can
be any fundamental improvement
in the situation places these Eu-
ropean governments in a situation
where IL is extremely difficult for
the United States to collaborate
with them in mending economic
conditions.
May Postpone Conference.
Among the arms conference dele.
gates the belief is that the Genoa
conference was certain to be post
poned. because of the American
hcsitancy in accepting the invita-
tiOn Of the allied powers and the
situation in France, caused by
Premier BRANDS sudden resigna-
ton.
\ spokesman of one of the for
eiEn groups indicated his view
that the United States wanted to
get the Washington conference
cleaned up and the treaties aris-
ing therefrom started toward rati-
cation before indulging in a new
parley of world dimensions.
Italy. il is known, is prepared
already TO postpone the session
evidently having had a tip that
such a course would be advisable
though it has not yet completely
halted work of making ready
should il be possible at the last
moment to convene.
The negotiations now being held
in England between Lord Curzon
and the French ambassador. rela-
tive to an Anglo-French alliance
are deemed likely to have an ef-
feet upon Frances position toward
the conference. While France has
never declined to participate, il
has taken so firm a stand on land
disarmament that the conference
would be doomed in advance to
have difficulties in this subject-a
subject closely linked with Eu'
ropes economic ills.