The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-10
j. S. WISHES
SUCCESS TO
CONFERENCE
VIII Join When Europe's
Political Stability Is
Assured.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Copyright, 1922, by Ihe Argus.)
Washington, d. c. April 10
America wishes success to the 9TH
er nations of the world gathered at
Genoa and stands ready to join in
a conference on economic matters
lust as soon as the political sta
bility of Europe is assured.
II nothing else comes out of the
Genoa conference but a settlement
OF the Russian problem, if it means
the recognition of a government in
Russia with which the rest of tho
world can deal on the basis of pro-
lection for life and property under
International law, the United
States will feel that the Genoa con-
ference is a success. Furthermore,
the American government will fol-
low suit if the European govern
ments come to an agreement with
Russia on recognition.
The foregoing statements are
from unquestioned authority. They
reveal that America although alb
sent from Geneoa is eagerly hop
ing and expecting the nations of
the world to accomplish something
big. The United States for rea-
sons of its own does not feel con-
strained to offer suggestions on
purely political questions
Red Army Is Problem.
OF these is the reduction of land
armament in Europe which is as
much dependent upon Russia as it
is upon Germany. There are re-
ports here that the soviets have
100000 men ON their borders alone.
Such standing army is regarded
as menace by the rest of Europe.
Until Russian rehabilitation Is
achieved, it is contended by France
that she cannot reduce the size of
her army. Central Europe lives
in constant apprehension too.
Many an evidence of change on
the part of the Russian authorities
has come to officialdom here.
Gradually the soviets have come to
realize that they cannot survive in
q position Of economic isolation.
Although the government which
probably will be recognized will
not appeal to other governments is
the most desirable nevertheless it
is felt that to recognize a trans
formed soviet is better than to
continue to ignore Russia altogeta-
er and that once the processes of
International trade are restored,
the people of Russia will go strong
enough step by step to improve
ment.
It start that Prime Minister
Lloyd George is trying to make.
SOfficlal Silence7 Is Policy.
The attitude of America is nee
essarily one of official silence as
the Genoa conference begins, but
II can be stated positively that the
sympathy of the United States gov
ernment with the work to be done
at Genoa is of the warmest kind.
Ine other nations may regret
Americas absence but the authori-
Ties here believe they will have
cause to be thankful later on that
tne United States remained out
side and gave Europe a chance to
put its own house in order first
ror the cooperation of the United
states in the next economic con-
ference is practically assured. The
american viewpoint has been
much more fully explained since
tne senate disposed of the Wash
hgron treaties than before The
ambassadors who discuss these
matters informally with European
governments have been encourag-
ing the latter to believe that
american economic cooperation is
coming. Some suggestions have
oeen that irrespective of whether
Sehoa is a success or failure,
resident Harding should call an
economic conference later on. The
policy Of the administration hith-
er'o has been to insist that the in
iuative should come from Europe
on me theory that most reforms
must De effective there before &c
oaomic reconstruction can be at
npted by governments on
eofid wide scale. The success
saich Mr.. Harding has had with
1e senate on the naval armament
a1 faclfic treaties is tempting ad-
uinistration advisers to urge the
president to assume the leadership
4nce more After Genoa another
p-g conference is certain whether
summoned by Mr.. Harding or the
sanitation which grows out OF
.ne Genoa meeting and in that
aerica will play an active part.