The Washington herald., 1922-01-07
Economic Conference to
Be Held in Genoa
Early in March.
RUSSIANS MUST
RECOGNIZE DEBTS
Council Will Invite us.
And Also Former En-r,,
emy Countries.


CANNES, Jan. 6-By unanimous
vote of the Supreme Council. act
ing on the resolution introduced by
Lloyd George. the Soviet government
will be inyited to participate in a
general economic conference to be
held at Genoa early in Match.
Practically official recognition Of
the Russian government for the
purpose OF restoring financial sta
billty in Europe is held out by the
allied governments upon condition
that the Soviet conforms to certain
conditions. among them the cessa-
tion of propaganda and recognition
of the nations debts.
The resolution amounts to q COM
promise between Lloyd George and
BRAND. The British have sought
closer relations with Russia for
more than a year. The French have
consistently refused to have any
dealings whatsoever with the Mos
COW authorities until they would
acknowledge the Indebtedness of the
former governments Of Russia.
Former Foe. Also Invited.
The supreme council. also upon
the plea of Lloyd George, decided
that the former enemy countries,
| Germany. Austria and Bulgaria.
would be invited to participate in
the gathering at Genoa. and that
an invitation would be extended to
America.
Lloyd George introduced the sub.
ject in an hours speech which In
cfuded, as well as the reference to
the projected conference. a plea for
easier treatment for Germany.
THE allies should not push Ger
many into bankruptcy. which would
result in anarchy worse than Boil
shevism," he declared. The British
premier pointed out that German
trade must be revived and that Gem
tral and Eastern Europe must be
financially rehabilitated II the VIC
tors themselves are to be restored
TO normal conditions.
t"The victors must accept re-.
| sponsibility for, the STATE of Eu-
rope" he xaid.
Premier Urxes Cempromise.
There are three basic points in
Lloyd Georges speech: First. that IL
was impossible to settle the repara-
tions question with a general agree
ment Second. that every ally must
make allowances for the viewpoint
Of others and that England was suf-
/ fering quite as much from the pres
| ent situation as many other ma
tions. Third, that there must be
change Of attitude towards the van
quished powers.
He was not a pro-German, the
premier asserted, and he insisted
that Germany must pay to her ut
| most ability. But the allies must
consider to what extent Germany
Is capable of paying. he added.
Regarding dealing with Russia,
the premier made a scathing allu-
sion to Frances dealings with the
government" of Mustpha kemal.
Turkish nationalist leader, saying
that he couldn't see how to draw
the line between assassinations in
one part of the East and the other.
Wants German Trade Revised.
Lloyd Georges speech was one
of the greatest of his career, plac-
ing quarely before the delegates
what he declared was the most crit
ical question since the signing OF
the armistice-the rehabilitation of
Europe.
In effect he declared. he realized
that England's attitude might be
denounced and he himself might be
accused of "pro-Germanism." But
the fallacy of such charges could
be seen in the fact that Germany
is England's most formidable COM
petitor now, in the future, and al
ways"
The premier counseled taking
common-se view in spite of the
dangers of Misrepresentation and
misconstruction that might follow.
He gave figures on pensions. unem-
Fployment and government benefits
in England, to show that his coun-
try was suffering severely as a re-
suit of the war. and declared that
II Germany is to pay what she
owes, her foreign trade. now only
% per cent of its prewar proper
tions, must be revived.
Lloyd George emphasized that
employment in Belgium. Italy and
also France was serious. But
France, he said, was suffering less
through the fact that her people
were agriculturists-alth in
other ways her injuries were great
er than those to the other allies.
The victors cannot escape their
responsibilities" he declared. add
ing that IL they failed. the dangers
of Bolshevism would De mucn
greater than the present difficulties
under which they are struggling.
IF Russia Is to be recognized"
he continued, "she must herself
recognize her responsibilities. We
must insist that Russia undertake
not to attack her neighbor, but We
must also insist that her heighbors
undertake not to attack Russia"
Premier Theunis, of Belgium. ac-
cepted Lloyd Georges statements in
principle and declared that Belgium
was also greatly interested in trade