Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1922-03-15
WEDNESDAY. MARCH 10. 1922.
AMERICAS LEADERSHIP NEEDED

From every capital in Europe
come reports in the daily press
of disappointment over American
refusal TO participate in the
Genoa conference. The consen-
sus of opinion is that the meet
ing will be held, but that its &C
complishments may be consider
ably restricted. In some quarters
it is even suggested that the best
program may be to effect a basis
for a second and greater meet
ing upon economic problems to
which the United States would
be invited with renewed hope OF
acceptance.
Viewing the Hughes note from
the standpoint of cold reason it
is. extremely difficult to see how
this country Gamble the gamer re-
gardless of what may Rappcn at
Genoa. If the conference sue
ceeds in adjusting a fair number
OF the moot questions of interna-
tional finance and trade, or if it
lowers some of the barriers to
free intercourse. the United
States will have had no voice in
those decisions. If the confer
ence fails utterly, all nations will
be in the same old rut, and relief
will be delayed, perhaps indeh-
nitely. ~ s. ~ .s
1t is encohvincings for Mr..
Hughes to suggest that America
has no interest in European po-
1itical questions. 1t is equally so
for him to intimate that economic
and financial problems can be set
tied or even discussed without
the influence of political relation
ships being felt incidentally and
sometimes strongly. Americas
international interests, economic
financial or political, are infinitely
greater in Europe than in Asia
yet the administration found q
way TO assume leadership in Ash
attic covenants once it had been
prodded into action by an arous-
ed public opinion and an appre-
hensive congress.
America gains nothing by stay
ing aloof from Genoa. Perhaps
the Republican party, and espe-
cially the Republican administra-
ton, is the gamer at home by
yielding to the reactionaries and
the die-hards who were offended
by the Washington meeting. But
that is beside the main question,
which is world reconstruction
and Americas part as the ma
tional leader in it.
The suggestion of Premier Poin-
care that the conference be delayed
three months will probably achieve
that result. Refusal of the United
States Government to participate.
Joined with French hostility to the
program, is a handicap almost in
Superable. But it is clear that while
statesmen may, delay such gather
ing. they cannot, sooner or later.
escape frank facing of existing
facts. Adjustments of the worlds
disturbed, abnormal economic and
financial condition become more
pressingly necessary every day and
will soon be imperative. Means of
sterilization can be found only in
conference, and conference - at
Genoa or elsewhere - eventually
must be called.
Despite the large measure Of
success achieved by the Washing
ton meeting. fear remains a domi-
nant force in international affairs.
France. still suffering from politi-
cal shell shock. is frankly fearful !;
the fear at Washington is sophisti-
Gated.
The Poincare government breads
any economic discussion lest the
matter of reparation adjustments
be even whispered, and lest Russia
be restored to international society
without full assurances for pay
ment of obligations incurred under
the old regime.
The Harding administration
breads Genoa lest some rude dele