The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-03-12

ditions which must materially af-
feet the whole Genoa proposition II
Is possible to explain in detail what
may be accomplished. what is now
Pexpected in London. for this inter-
national meeting. First OF all. it rs
10 be European show. 1t has been
Vartously described to me by many
politicians and journalists OF Great
Britain in recent days all OF whom
agree that the maximum benefit
that can be expected to flow from
fGenoa will be the actual consent of
the various European countries to
Isit down at q table together and
take up in a rational. business-like
way not the large questions which
emain to be settled. but the PROB
lem of how to discuss these ques-
tions at some future international
assembly. In other words, the point
must be made very clear that &C.
nos is not going to be final. II may
Easily prove to be the most impor-
tant general international gather
ing since the war. simply because
1t will be the first. At Paris Ger
many appeared only for her SEN
tenee and Russia was excluded al
together. The little powers of East
were not out Of their cradles and
were conspicuous for their lung
power rather than for any other
contributions: whereas at Genoa the
little powers may play a very large
role.
Lloyd Georges Hope.
Now on the Lloyd George con-
ception of Genoa two questions re-
III
tween Great Britain and France.
The British prime minister hopes
and is determined to insist upon a
general agreement between all the
powers present to refrain fos ten
years from any hostile act with re-
spect OF their neighbors; in other
words. Lloyd George desires all
European countries TO subscribe to
\ declaration Of mutual guarantee
as to territories exactly like that in
the four-power treaty we signed
with Japan, France and Great Bri-
tain. This, from Lloyd Georges
point of view. is the first step in q
SYSTEMATIC appeasement of Europe.
For ten years all countries, those
which fought for Germany, those
which fought against her. are to
undertake neither to invade nor at
back any other country. Such guar
hntees having been exchanged
Lloyd George believes that without
delay. actual steps can be taken to
reduce the standing armies Of Eu-
rope and TO get rid Of the military
problem. which Is as much financial
as military
The second line Lloyd George Is
to urge concerns Russia. He con-
scented under pressure coming not
from France alone, but from the lit
tie entente states along the Russian
border. neither to ask nor to urge
actual recognition OF Bolshevist
Russia at Genoa He Is willing that
the question Of Russian recognition
be adjourned provided commercial
relations with Russia are resumed
At once. He also consented that
the behavior Of Russia after the re-
sumption OF such relations become
a test Of ultimate recognition. Now
there you have in the rough the
two major propositions which Great
Britain win champion at Genoa
The questions of separations will
not come up. the question Of inter.
allied debts will not come Up, the
treaties which were signed during
the Paris conference will not be
brought into court for revision
this means. Of course. no discussion
of debts owing from Europe to
America.
Britain Divided on Russia.
In considering the Russian aspect
one must face once more the do
nestle political condition Of Great
Britain. A v erylarge and infiu-
ential class of the people of Great
SBritain share the American dislike
of any relations with the Bolshe-
visit government. In many quarters
the American view is held that the
| Moscow government is on its last
legs and will collapse IL IL does
not &c tsome help from outside,
such as an Invitation to the Genoa
conference might constitute. Lloyd
Georges proposal to sit down at
table with the Bolshevists aroused
a protest Of Indignation, OF DOWN
right wrath. in a considerable part
of Great Britain On the other hand
all the Radical, Liberal and labor
elements are insistent upon immedi-
ate and full resumption Of trade rela-
tions with Russia, and Russian
recognition as a matter of domes-
tic political Importance. Lloyd
George. moreover. constantly talked
to the British electorate Of the pos
sibilities OF the restoration Of Brit
ish prosperity II only trade with
Russia be resumed Not so long
ago he was discussing the bulging
grain bins OF Russia. OF course
now when Russia is starving that
particular delusion has passed
away, It remains true. however,
that large sections Of the British
public believe that II only trade
were resumed with Russia in a
brief time British unemployment
would be reduced. the cost of living
diminished, hard times passed.
re fundamental problem or
Lloyd George remains domestic.
with 100000 unemployed. Great
3Britain suffering economically per-
| haps more than any Industrial ma
| tion in the world. certainly more
than France. which is not an
Industrial nation at all. Three years
after the end of the fighting there
are nearly 100000 Engllshmen be-
ing supported by government doles
Ali through the north, on the Mer-
lsey, In lancashire. on the Clyde, In
fhe great shipping trade. there is
and worse
Demands Made on PrenIer.
Given these circumstances Lloyd
George must do something to sat
sly popular demand for prosperity.
THE English public has been told
lover and over again that the rem.
edy lies In the Sterilization OF. the
jcontinental situation, the restora-