Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-05-11
AT GENOA

10 given out at Genoa tina
France and Belgium are inclined
to modify their attitude somewhat
rather then assume the responsible
ity for wrecking the peace confer
ence. Also that Germany and Rus
STA are anxious that the confer
ence should continue. The fact
GEMS to be that Lloyd George
reached about the end of his poll.
cies and notified the other powers
that he was about ready to give up
the task Of bringing about economic
reconstruction in Europe and &c
home. He also intimated rather
pointedly that If this came about,
Great Britain would cease to act in
concert with her former allies and
go 1t alone, seeking such interna-
tional agreements as served her own
interest without consultation with
her former allies.
That intimation was construed to
mean that it would seek to make
a separate treaty with Germany fol-
lowing the example set by the
United States. Such action would
probably be welcomed In Germany
as it would mark the end Of the
entente that defeated her. In
Washington it is semi-officially an
nounced that this country approves
the Genoa note to Russia and finds
that it about expresses the views
of this government on the subject.
These views are that no recogni-
of Russia can be made by this
republic until the soviet govern
ment shows by acts that it intends
to undo the wrongs it has done for
eign property in eo~nfiscating such
property, and also recognizes its
to pay its bonds held by
nations.
Four or five times the Genoa
conference has seemed on the verge
Of utter failure. It may come to
hat yet. But if it accomplishes a
ZEN year peace pact, and adopts the
program which Lloyd George
brought to Genoa, the English pre-
nier will be generally recognized
IS the greatest statesman in
Europe.
The Springfield Republican says
On that subject:
when it was complained in the
of Deputies that France
lad played second fiddle at the
Washington conference Premier
ooincare promised that it should
lot happen again, and the condi-
ions for French participation at
Genoa were revised to that end.
t is easy to understand and to
ympathize with the anxious regard
or prestige on the part Of a proud
md illustrious nation which has
a great part in history and
.olds a great present position in
he world. yet sensitiveness of this
ort may be troublesome in the in
irrational concert. If a nation is
.ot ready to take the lead it auto
latically drops into a secondary
ole, and is not the source of NOR
ifications of which the French
omplain to be found in policies
,hich in any great international
altering make French leadership
npossible?
mo matter which of the live
of the day may be up,
.iscussion of it cannot get far
'ithout running upon questions
the French will not permit
} be discussed. For France to
Ike the lead even in matters re-
ting to the continent Of Europe is
npossible, because it cannot con-
a program which would be
{ the slightest interest to other
overs without modifying its own
%olicies. Cut off from active lead
it can only stand on the de-
,nsive to protect it's own iterests, {
I'd is exposed to humiliation of I
icing the other nations swept !
.ong by active forces In which it I
as no share. {
The root of the diplomatic trou-
les of France may be found in (
le French catchword: I'VE want
two things-to be paid, and to I
. safe" 1t is too narrow a pro- 8
to take into a great gathering q
! nations with troubles of their I
WI. France is by no means unique I
desiring money and safety; the I
at an international gather !
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