The New York herald., 1922-01-31


Now York Herald Bureau.
London, Jan. 30.
Cncials here say they are not aware
OF any contemplated postponement Of
the Genoa conference, as was reported
from Rome, but they concede it may
be necessary to postpone the meeting
unless the question Of the Anglo
French pact is settled quickly. Opin-
ion at the Foreign Office is that the
main business in Genoa revolves di-
rectly around the success or failure
OF this pact, and that upon this de-
cision depends whether not only
France, but America. accepts the in
vitation to attend the meeting.
But, although Government officials
hesitate to speculate regarding de-
lay in holding the Genoa conference.
there is apparent In their conversa-
tion a belief that the date for the
meeting in Genoa March 81 is too
close to the present negotiations,
which were entirely unforeseen when
the Genoa scheme was launched at
Cannes. Mr.. Lloyd George is anxious
that the Anglo French pact, the An
CORA and the Tangier questions should
all be settled before the opening OF
the Genoa conference, and now the
new French memorandum on the Near
East is causing further delay.
He realizes he cannot proceed as
ar1icably at Genoa as he would like to
with these questions as irritants. He
TO adjust them happily. thus smoothing
the way for cordial French participation
in Genoa and leaving no such reasons
as these as an excuse for America g
absence. Mr.. Lloyd George would read
iiy consent, 1t was limited. to delay the
Genoa conference In order to bring
about such q situation.
II the pact can be settled according
to British desires. with clause against
submarines and otherwise carrying a
spirit favoring disarmament, officials
here believe the American attitude re-
garding the Genoa meeting must be re-
versed Therefore. Genoa Is being kept
in the background so that the scheme
will not be completely wrecked.
The British press Is notably less out
spoken than the French on the troubles
before the Genoa meeting.
LONDON, Jan. 81 (Tuesday) THE
Times In an editorial under the caption,
'"rhe Mystery OF Genoa" questions the
prospect of the conferences success and
emphasizes thine vagueness of the hopes
Of its promoters.
with the United States holding criti-
cally aloof, with France reluctantly con-
senting and the other European Gov
ernments doubtfully or anxiously acced-
Ing" says the paper. 1T would be a
surprise II the conference came near to
realizing tho hopes of its promoters.
What these hopes are 1t Is extremely
difficult to understand. There appears
to be strange combination of limelight
and secrecy.
''The nations are to gather together
10 discuss the economic reconstruction
Of central and eastern Europe. Austria
is in deep distress, the state of Russia
beyond imagination Is appalling. Can
anything be done to relieve the situation
by a hasty conference of busy Pre-
,niers?
"It Is assumed that the meetings will
last fortnight. What can be done in
"a fortnight except to bring to the sur
1acc 1l the Uiltcr COfittONciSitS VI 1-u-
rcpeT'
The editorial declares that the British
Government apparently desires to supply
the chief motive power of the discus
sions. and that the cooperation of Great
Britain and France Is essential, yet the
relations of the countries at present are
in debate. The writer notes the greatest
nlacrity has been. shown by Germany
and Russia, and urges allied wariness
in meeting face to face "those who were
tl,efr subtle, stubborn enemies during the
war md those who once wrecked q great
allied country and since have pursued a
relentless and insidious campaign
against the whole economic and political
system OF Europe"
The Mystery of Genoa" says the edi-
torial in conclusion, "only darkens az
the date for the conference draws near
What thread is guiding the Powers
what hope inspires our Government In
this adventure into chaos?"
Tne italian Government which has
'he arrangements for the Genoa eco
nomic conference In hand. considers that
slight postponement OF the conference
may be necessary, according to an Ex-
change Telegraph dispatch from Rome.
This belief, it was indicated arises from
tile postponement of the conference at
Paris on Near Eastern questions be-
tween the British, French and Italian
Foreign Ministers, originally fixed for
February /.