The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-04-12
Russia at Genoa.

~ requires a clear understanding of the Rus
= sian situation No such understanding is
possible, OF course, without listening to the de-
tense Of the present ruling faction in that country
1t is well to make clear that the Red leaders
fabulous monsters. They do not have six
heads Their hair is not of live rattle
snakes. They do not breathe smoke and fire. They
do not devour human infants instead of ham and
eggs at the breakfast table. They drink milk
coffee, beer and vodka. Human blood never has
been favorte beverage with them. They
unfortunate. mistaken human beings, guided by the
impulses and responsive to the same treat
ment the rest of the human family. When
treated courteously and sympathetically they are
capable of COOL clear discussion of their troubles
with other rational human beings. When treated
rudely and with animosty they become hot
headed irritable and unmanageabe.
To Genoa has the most human Of them
all, NJ Tchitcherin He is pathetic appearing old
gentleman, with thin cheeks, scant gray hair and
watery eyes peering from behind spectacles. He
has one Of the keenest minds in all Europe and
whatever economic success the Soviet government
has achieved is in small measure due to his
efforts
NJ. Tchitcherin started his address to the dele
gates with some Aowery language 1t is customary
on such occasions to voice good deal of sent-
mental eloquence world peace and human
were some who had mind to credit any good
intentions to the Communist delegate. They sought
only the evil and found it in his opening words
He was interrupted, practically insulted Whatever
degree of cooperation Russia is willing to offer
the rest of Europe in economic recovery-and signs
are not lacking that the Soviet government is
beginning to see the light-would most certainly
have been lessened materially if this attitude toward
the speaker had continued
Lloyd George able to smooth over this
difficulty without hurting the feelings of NJ.
Tchitcherin. He steered the conference success
fully over the first rock in its course. There will
be many more. If the British prime minister con-
tnues his present attitude is reasonable to hope
that they will wreck the prospects of success
: Either force or reason must prevail with Russia,
Germany and the rest. The present conference
is an appeal to reason We do not presume Louis
Barthou and the Of the French delegates, for
example are unreasonable men. Doubtless they
have high purposes directed toward noble ideals.
But they have formed wrong habits of thinking
during the past few years. 1t sometimes seems
as though they had become convinced that reason
and tact can accomplish nothing-that they have
developed exasperating rritabity at all suggcs-
'tions that the ills of Europe be cured by common
understanding.
The nations with whom they must deal still
are proud and sensitive. They have made I'm
fortunate mistakes. 1t is poor hope to make
them ratify those mistakes by constantly reminding
them in harsh and unfriendly words of the evil
they have done
Lloyd George sympathizes neither with German
aggression nor Russian radicalism. But he believes
there are prospects Of reasoning with both Of
these nations. This is the attitude he has adopted
at Genoa and it is the only attitude which, at
present. holds forth any hope of better days in the
near future
The Genoa conference cannot restore a demo-
cratic republic in Russia. 1t may be able to con-
vince the government Of Lenin that it should use
other tactics in its dealings with its neighbors. 1t
may create feeling Of international respon-
sibity in that great hinterland of western civza-
ton. Ii, through the leadership of Lloyd George,
it can accomplish this if it can place the entire
problem of currency and debts on more sub
stantial basis through mutual understanding, il it
only can create more friendly feeling in the
European family, it will have marked great ad-
vance in the progress of civilization