Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1922-05-18
UNITED STATES
TURNS DOWN BID
Washington Government R7fuses
to Participate in New Pa ley.
WON'T JOIN HAGUE MEET
Text of Reply by Secretary Hughes
Drafted After White House Con-
ference Gives Reasons for De-
Ginning the Invitation.

Washington, May 16-The United
States government declined to partici-
pate in the economic conference to be
held at The Hague, starting June Is,
for consideration Of the Russian prob
lens.
The reply of Secretary Hughes,
drafted after a White House confer
ence with President Harding, was
made public at the State department.
The text of the reply follows:
''This government has carefully CON
Sidered the invitation extended it by
the president of the Genoa conference,
under the conditions set forth in the
agreement Of the inviting powers to
join the proposed commission to meet
at IHhe Hague on June Is. This gov
eminent is most DESTROYS to aid in
every practicable way the considera-
ton Of the economic exigencies in Rus
STA and wishes again to express the
deep friendship felt by the people of
the United States for the people of
Russia and their keen interest il. all
proceedings looking to the recovery of
their economic life and the return of
the prosperity to which their caDaci-
ties and resources entitle them. The
American people have given the most
tangible evidence~of their unselfish in
terest in the economic recuperation of
Russia, and this government would be
most reluctant to abstain from any op-
portunity of helpfulness.
Will Not Participate.
"This government, however, is I'M
able to conclude that it can helpfully
participate in the meetings at The
Hague, as this would appear to be a
continuance under Il different nomen-
clature of the Genoa conference and
destined to encounter the same diff
culties, If the attitude disclosed in the
Russian memorandum of May II re-
mains unchanged.
"The inescapable and ultimate ques-
ton would appear to be the restora-
ton of productivity in Russia, the es-
sential conditions of which are still to
OC oONu1 Cu dAU lluOL, III LuC VI
things, be provided within Russia her.
self.
while this government has believed
that these conditions are reasonably
clear, it has always been ready to join
with the governments extending the
present invitation in arranging for an
inquiry by experts into the economic
situation in Russia and the necessary
remedies. Such an inquiry would ap-
propriately deal with the economic
prerequisites of that restoration Of
production in Russia without which
there would appear to be lacking any
sound basis for credits.
Lacks Definiteness.
ut should be added that this govern
ment is most willing to give serious at
tention to any proposals issuing from
the Genoa conference, or any later con-
ference, but it regards the present
suggestions, in apparent response to
the Russian memorandum of May IL,
as lacking, in view of the terms Of that
memorandum, in the definiteness which
would make possible the concurrence
of this government in the proposed
plan.'
The inviting powers referred to in
the cabled summary of the proposed
plan are understood to be Italy, Bel
GUM, Great Britain and Japan.
Soviet to Meet Allies.
Genoa, May 16.-The Genoa sub
committee on Russian affairs ratified
the proposal for a meeting of the al
lies at The Hague on June Is to an
point a commission of experts to study
the Russian problem in detail.
NJ. Rakowski, one of the spokesman
for the Russian delegation, made a
statement Indicating Russia would ac-
cept The Hague commission proposal
under protest"
The phrase under protest" saves
the faces of the Russian delegation.
and particularly its chief, NJ. Tchitch.
erin.
At the same time it permits prepara-
tons for the next conferences con-
tinuation of the Genoa conference-to
acsaf;nrin
s