The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1922-04-11
By DAVID LAWRENCE.


tled-EconOmic Conference Later.
By DAVID LAWRENCE.
Especial Despatch to The Reformer)
Copyright 1922.
WASHINGTON, April 11.-America
wishes success to the other nations of
the world gathered at Genoa and stands
ready to join in a conference on eco
monte matters just as soon as the polit-
ical stability of Europe is assured.
If nothing else comes out of the Genoa
conference but settlement of the Rus
sian problem, if it means the recognition
of government in Russia with which
the rest of the world can deal on the
basis of protection OF life and property
under international laws, the United
States will feel that the Genoa confer
ence is a success. Furthermore, the
American government will follow suit if
the European governments come to an
agreement with Russia on recognition.
The foregoing statements are from I'M
questioned authority. They reveal that
America, although absent from Genoa, is
eagerly hoping and expecting the nations
of the world to accomplish something
q
its own, does not feel constrained to Of
fer suggestions on purely political ques-
tions. One of these is the reduction of
land armament in Europe which is as
much dependent upon Russia as it is
upon Germany. There are reports here
that the Soviets have 100000 men on
their borders alone. Such standing
army n regarded as a menace by the
rest of Europe. Until Russian demobil-
| lzation is achieved. it is contended by
France that she cannot reduce the size
| Of her army. Central Europe lives in
constant apprehension. too.
Russian Attitude Changing.
Many an evidence of change on the
part of the Russian authorities has come
to Oficialdom here. Gradually the So
viets have come to realize that they can
not survive in a position of economic
isolation. Although the government,
which probably will be recognized. viii
not appeal to other governments as the
most desirable, nevertheless it is felt
that to recognize transformed Soviet
is better than to continue to ignore Rus
sia altogether and that once the processes
| of international trade are restored. the
| people Of Russia will grow strong
! enough step by step to improve upon
their own form of government. It's
(! is striving to make.
The attitude of America is necessarily
one of official silence as the Genoa con-
/ ference begins but il can be stated posi-
| lively that the sympathy of the United
| States government with the work to be
| done at Genoa Is of the warmest kind
/ The other nations may regret America 5
absence but the authorities here believe
| they win have cause to be thankful
later on that the United States remained
| outside and cave Europe n chance to
put its own house in order first. For
! the cooperation Of the United States in
| the next economic conference is practi-
| eally assured. The American viewpoint
| has been much more fully explained
since the senate disposed of the Wash
ington treaties than before. The ambas-
sailors who discuss these matters infOr-
mally with European governments have
| heen encouraging the latter to believe
that American economic cooperation is
coming. Some suggestions have been
made that irrespective of whether Genoa
is Il success or failure, President Hard
ing should call an economic conference
after on. The policy of the administra-
ton hitherto has been to insist that the
initiative should come from Europe on
the theory that most reforms must be
effective there before economic recon
struction can be attempted by govern
ments on worldwide scale. The sue
cess which Mr.. Harding has had with
the senate on the naval armament ami
Pacific treaties. is tempting administra-
ton advisers to urge the President TO
assume the leadership once more. After
Genoa. another big conference is Ger
tain whether summoned by Mr.. Harding
the Genoa meeting and in that America
will Dlay an active part