The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-05-15
Latest Turn In Events At
Genoa Indicates That 1t
May Be Impossible To
Continue Present Pro-
gram Until Russia Has
a Change of Heart

washington, May ia communi
cation from American Ambassador
Child reporting tht the United States
government had been invited to par
ticipate in the newly planned eco
romic conference at The Hague, was
received this noon at The Hague VISA
department, but officials indicated nc
immediate decision on it would be
reached.
Until they had an opportunity to
study the proposal in detail officials
would make no comment regarding
il. The general impression given
by them was that the question pro
badly would be discussed at tomor'
rows cabinet meeting and that some
action might follow.
At the state department particular
pains were taken to emphasize that
the invitation was a complete sur
prise here, officials declaring that the
Washington government not only had
not suggested it but was completely
uninformed regarding the plan until
today.
The communication from Ambasso
dor Child ws said to be only an d.
vance summary of the official text o.
het invitation. 1T was understood
that various details regarding the
circumstances that led up to the move
were to come and that the depart
ment would take no step until it was
fully advised
In their inference to The Hague
conference officials would not indicate
in what degree they considered the
case analogous to the Genoa negotia-
tions, into which the United States
refused to enter 1t was assumed
that President Harding and his ao
visors would adopt similar policy
of non-partcipation should, the new
conference appear to be merely a
reproduction of that at Genoa. On
the other hand information received
here in press dispatches. has indi-
Gated that a stipulation expressly ex-
cluding the United States from any
of the effects of decisions reched in
The Hague might be included in the
invitation in such way as to change
the basis of the whole problem
Genoa, May 15-(By the Associat-
ed Press)-What the Genoa confer
GHC6 has ldll6u W uO-SOlNC biAS ANAS
sian question-it is hoped to accom-
plish at another meeting if the Unit
ed States will participate. A formal
invitation to the new conference to
be held at The Hague was handed to
the American minister. Richard Wash
burn Child, last night, and today all
ewes were on Washington, for upon
the question of American participa-
tion the chance for an agreement with
the Russians is believed to depend.
All the powers now represented
here will be asked to send delegates
to The Hague meeting, the date for
which is tentatively set as June Is.
Other details for the gathering are un-
settled, but at the suggestion OF
Prime Minister Lloyd George. OF
Great Britain, non-aggression truce
for four months, or until the new con-
! ference ends it's labors, has been ap-
zproved informally.
The Sub-commission on Russian af-
airs met today to vote on this and
1 he other features of the plan arrived
at in the private conversations partl-
cipated in by Mr.. Lloyd George and
the other representatives Of the five
inviting powers.
Inasmuch as the Russian question
was the main topic up for settlement
at Genoa, the failure of the present
negotiations will bring the confer
ence to a quick end and adjournment
probably will be taken before the end
OF the present week.
The Hague conference would con-
sist of two commissions of experts,
one for the Russians and the other for
the remaining powers participating at
Genoa. but it is extremely doubtful
whether the Russians will consent TO
the plan. as it now stands.
M. Hchitcherin and his associates
have constantly insisted that Russia
cannot tolerate that her affairs be dis
cussed by any commission in which
she is not reported on a basis OF
equality with other nations.
In other words, they say they are
not playing the role of a conquered
nation and will not be treated as in
feriors.
Discuss European Conditions
Washington, May 15.-The Cham
ber Of Commerce Of the United States
opened its tenth annual meeting here
today with European conditions and
its effect ON American business the
chief topic for discussion. The open
ing program was occupied Friday with
nomination of seventeen members Of
the board of directors, the general ses
sions being set to begin tomorrow and
continue through Thursday. Group
meetings have been arranged to con
slider questions of interest to the yari
GUS sections Of the organizations, as
well as sessions of the American
Trade Association executive and OF
the National Association Of CONNER
cial Organization Secretaries.