New-York tribune., 1922-03-10
British Regret
Refusal of L. s.
TOGO to Genoa
Reference to Militarism i'm
Europe Welcomed, How
ever. as Foriifying Con-
teniion of Lloyd George
Council to Meet ANYWAY
German and Italian Sup
port on Armament Issue
Is Regarded as Certain
lLo,a ~ 71laane.s xa,onean Rneen..

ffom TAe 7ri6une'S European Burcofe
Copyright la21 New yorl, Tribune lnoA
LONDON. March O.. President Har-
dinG's decision to abstain from the
Genoa conference. although Anticipated
by British ofheialdom. was both sur
prise and disappointment to the gen
eral public here Some Of the points
lalsed as obstacles t. American par
ticipation arc not accepted here; for
example the contention Of the United
States government that the conference
would involve political matters in which
Washington is not interested. The
British view IS that the gathering is to
be economic and commercial. touching
only on political questions where. as in
the case Of Russia. they are inter
twined with economic matters.
The prevailing belief here is that the
conference plans viii 60 forward un-
changed, regardless OF the American
stand British officials read with par
;lcular interest the Presidents REFER
cree TO European militarism as an OBJ
stacle to American aid, because this ex-
preston of view will strengthen Pre-
rl'er Lloyd Georges hand against
France IN the movement to cut the size
OF continental armies
Germany and italy. ii is believed
Will almost certainly side with the Brit-
ish view on this question of armament
ana president HardIng's support even
IN negative way is regarded as en-
couraging.
RUSSIAN Agreement Counted On
Some sort Of an international trad
ing agreement with Russia is almost
certain TO come out OF the cor ference
l ne British have particular reason to
want TO come to some sort Of I'M
derStanding with Russia because of the
revolt in India.
The morning newspapers received
President Jiarding's note too late for
editorial comment. Lord NorthcliFc's
Evening News says:
Inc United States has declined to
take part IN the Genoa conference. The
people ot the United States. and also
ohe people OF Europe. are to be con-
graduated upon the American decision
American official announcements often
need to be read between the lines
Wncn they arc made by man so able
ana consldcrate as Charles Z. Hughes
mead OF the American State Depart
ment they need, besides. To he taken
very seriously But moro should not
be read into them than they contain.
1t IS to be hoped that. pending their
hnal evaporation. our Downing Street
dope establishments won't state or in
sinuate that the United States has
turned its back on Europe Just because
u does not intend to be represented AT
Genoa. Any attempt OF that kind might
encourage American statesmen really
to turn their backs on Europe.
European Enthusiasm Doubted
We should very much like to know
VINO IN Europe really wants to 60 TO
Genoa. The British Prime Mi9ister
wants or wanted to 60. The French DOM
want to go. Russian Bolshevism wanted
to go, although it isn't quite certain
what IS its present wish The Germans
want to 60 and presumably the Italians
are too polite to say that thev would
rather have these guests in Rome
than IN that seaside town that is in
habited by the apostles of discord. the
oisti."
1t is believed here that the Indian
crisis cannot fail to affect the Gonoa
conference and the proceedings there.