The Washington herald., 1922-02-28
A Better Outlook for Genoa.

TINE pressure of world-opinon has surely
l. brought Premier Poincare to realities more
quickly than expected even. When M. Bri-
and was premier, NJ Poincare attacked him merci-
lessly. How brief time NJ. Poincare has been in
Office and how nearly his position now approaches
NJ. Brands when subjected to NJ. Poincare's at
tacksl 1t is difficult to how much change in
the policy of France now under NJ. Poincare from
what it was under NJ. BRAND. The net result of
NJ. Poincares bitter and tireless attacks seems to
have been that he got NJ. BRAND out of office and
himself in. Perhaps that the principal object
of all the clamor. Such is politics.
1t is amusing to note NJ. Poncare's meeting
with Lloyd George Saturday, after his so-recent
declaration that international negotiations should be
carried through the old diplomatic channels. 1t
is interesting to note the result of that meeting NJ
Poincare wins certain points-so that he can make
out a case for himself at home He has brought
the willy Welshman to time! We told that
Premier Poincare won from Premier Lloyd George
an agreement that the Genoa conference would do
nothing to encroach the league of nations. A
sweeping victory! Further, Lloyd George has
agreed that Genoa will not interfere with the rights
of sgnatories to the treaties with the rights of
the allies with regard to reparations. More sweep
ing victories for NJ. Poincarel These decisions might
mean much, but probably don't. The reparatons
question goes to the reparations commission, be-
lievc; that does not mean that the reparatlonS
schedule will not be changed Indications are that
it means just the contrary. The reparations COM
mission is said to look favoraby upon revision of
the total to be paid by Germany and the method Of
paying. Does it not appear that Premier BRAND
was permitted to demand certain concessions to
(which noobjection would be raised in order to ap-
- ~ ~ victory? That saves his face, to a
degree.
A. any rate, the upshot of the meeting Satur-
-. i that the Genoa conference is to be convened
A,rn 1o-quite soon enou-'. France is going
80 attend in better spirit. And France has not pre-
..,.d the attendance of Russia and Germany
;,hou. whose representatives the conference could
-, r. 6rst-rate success. The Genoa outlook is
;-,o,oved 1t is further improved by Premier Lloyd
C.aree's suggestion of ten-year European truce
4 80 of reconstruction. Doubtless, Lloyd George
hopes for permanent truce. but if he can get a
ten-year truce de6nitelyt rreed, he will know and
the world will know. tina ha/way is clearer to an
enduring peace. 49, ..
The question remains: Will the United States
60 to Genoa? The Anglo-French agreement ought
to make American attendance more likely, for it
now appears that America would not be going into
a wrangle condemned to fruitlessness in advance.
Is not this simple statement of the basis which
Americas decision should be reached: If Americas
participation would result in good, America should
90; If Americas participation would not result in
good America should not go. The smoothing
avay of Anglo French friction, with earnest of fur
Their agreement in the near future makes it appear
more likely that Americas participation would
- "A god.