Evening star., 1922-04-09

but the hope prevails in all circles
that the sheer necessity of common
action in the interest of all will in
duce sacrifices on the part of all, so
as to permit the building up of Eu-
rope and the development of it's eco
nomic machinery.
France, which returned from the
Washington conference chagrined'
at the American conception that she
was militaristic. appears determined
to maintain an army of sufficient
size to exact war reparations from
Germany to assist in her own recon-
struction. while reports from Ger
many allege the existence of a strong
popular feeling against France.
Admittedly also "pin-pricks" have
been noticeable between Italy and
France. largely due to the Italian
feeling that Frances moral support
of Jugoslavia and other small states
in an attempt to mould a defensive
alliance against Germany, is inimical
to Italy's national interests.
The little entente, the so-called
Balkan entente, and the neutral
states headed by Spain, all have in
terests to further, while Great Brit
ain, with Lloyd George stalking much
on the results of the Genoa confer
ence, stands forth as dramatic actor
in the deliberations.
Everybody seems to realize that
the economic restoration OF Russia
is obligatory to the salvation of Eu
rope. England wants markets there,
France seeks to recover her debts,
Italy imperatively needs Russian
wheat, which she could probably pur-
chase many times cheaper than she
does from America.
Middle Classes Suffer.
Despite the unemployment in Eng
land and the famine in Russia, it is
estimated that great middle classes
of Europe are the greatest sufferers
by the present unfavorable economic
| conditions, with the strictest econo-
my necessary, while grave anxiety
prevails among all classes in all
countries. Various remedies are sug-
! gested by official and unofficial
spokesmen here, some idealists even
demanding the creation of a Eu-
! ropean confederation similar to the
United States, believing that some
man will soon emerge to show the
way to save Europe from future
schisms. The primary feature of this
would be the abolition of vast ar
mics. Others preach the wisdom Of
a Latin alliance, morally, if not
actually, backed by the South Amer
ican countries, in order to preserve
Latin institutions, customs and cul-
ture in a movement for Anglo-Saxon
domination anticipated by the Latin
people.
Meanwhile. in the shadow of Eu-
ropes debt to the United States,
there is strong desire on the part
of some of the nations that Germany
and Russia be restored to normal
conditions at the earliest possible
moment.
Like Japan at Washington, France
enters the conference supported by
England, insisting that there should
be no revision of treaties or accom-
plished facts. AS at Versailles and
Washington. so at Genoa it is pre-
dicted the proceedings will be domi-
mated by few leaders-Lloyd
George, Barthou, Wirth. Schanzer and
Chitcherin,' with Premier Poincare,
whom DR.. Rathenau recently hailed
as man of iron, generally shaping
Frances course from Paris, and with
Japan, represented by Hayashi and
Ishii. sitting silently in the back
ground until the Russian problem is
considered, when, it is reported, they
will be ready to go into action.
Advices from Toxic attribute to