Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1922-05-16
HUGHES SENDS NOTE
DECLINING INVITATION.


WASHINGTON, May 16,-Amer-
lea has declined the invitation to
participate in The Hague conference
on Russia.
In note to the powers assembled
at Genoa, Secretary Hughes declar-
ed: This government is unable to
conclude that it can helpfully parti-
cipate in the meeting at The Hague
as this would appear to be contin-
uancc under a different nomencla-
destined to encounter the same diff
culties if the attitude disclosed in the
! Russian memorandum Of May II re-
mains unchanged.
1T should. be added,"' Hughes con-
cluded the note, "that this govern
ment is most willing to give serious
attention to any proposals issuing
from the Genoa conference or any
later conference, but it regards the
present suggestions i. . as lacking
in the defnitencss which would
make possible the concurrence of this
government in the proposed plan"
The official statement given out
by Secretary Hughes late Monday
night, read:
"The secretary of state has direct
ed Ambassador Child to deliver the
following reply for tho American
government:
This government has carefully
considered the invitation extended to
it by the president Of the Genoa con-
ference, under the conditions SET
forth in the agreement of the inviting
powers, to join the proposed COM
mission to meet at The Hague on
June Is. This government is most
desirous to aid in every practicable
way the consideration Of the econon-
ic exigencies in Russia and wishes
again to express the deep friendship
felt by the people Of the United
States for the people of Russia and
their keen interest in ali proceedings
| looking to the recovery of the eco
nomic life and the return of the pros
perity to which their capacities aud
resources entitle them The Amcri-
can people have given the most tan
giblc evidence of their unselfsh in
terest in the economic recuperation
of Russia, and this government would
be most reluctant to abstain from
any opportunity Of helpfulness.
This government, however, is un-
able to conclude that it can helpfll-
ly participate in the meeting at The
Hague as this would appear to he
continuance under different nomen-
clature of the Genoa conference and
destined to encounter the same diff
fculties if the attitude disclosed in
| the Russian memorandum of May IL
jremains unchanged.
/ "The inescapable and ultimate
questions would appear to be the res
toration of productivity in Russia, the
| essential conditions of which are still
to be secured and must in the nature
, of things be provided within Russia
herself.
while this government has be-
lieved that these conditions are reas-
onably clear, it has always been
ready to join with the governments
extending the present invitation in
arranging for an inquiry by experts
into the economic situation in Russia
! and the necessary remedies. Such
an inquiry would appropriately deal
with the conomic prerequisites Of
that restoration of production in Rus
sia without which there would appear
to be lacking any sound basis for
credits. 1t should be added that this
government is most willing to give
serious attention to any proposals IS
suing from the Genoa conference, OF
any later conference, but it REGARDS
the present suggestions, in apparent
response to the Russian memorandum
of May IL, as lacking, in view Of
the terms of that memorandum, IN
the definiteness which would make
possible the concurrence Of this gov
ernment in the proposed plan.