The New York herald., 1922-01-29
GENOA CONFERENCE
TO DECIDE THE FATE
OF EUROPEAN LANDS
Renewed Vitality or Death
of Civilization at Stake,
Says Gibbs.
u. S. HAS CASTING VOTE
Deep Dug Ruin if She Alb
stains From Using Her
Influence.
THREE MAIN QUESTIONS
German Reparations, Interna-
tional Debts and Russian
THREE MAIN QUESTIONS
German Reparations, Interna-
tional Debts and Russian
Reconstruction.
BY SIR PHILIP GIBBS.

BY SIR PHILIP GIBBS.
In my, opinion there Is no doubt at
all that the Genoa conference will de-
eide one way or the other whether
Europe and other parts Of the world
affected by European conditions are
going to get a chance Of gradual re-
covery and renewed vitality under a
policy of peace Cancellation and eco
nomic readjustment. or whether they
are going to be condemned definitely
to moral and industrial disease ending
in the. death Of their old form Of civil
ization. Once again it will be lead
ership or lack of leadership In the
United States which will have the
casting vote in the decision Of human
fate.
If America abstains from using its
Immense and decisive influence on the
biQc VI Oil cCOllOuhSdi ROiItlCdi
truce. or il It uses its influence on the
side of those who desire to uphold the
present conditions Of Europe as ar
ranged by the treaty OF Versailles and
BY the passionate intolerance of peo-
who would rather see Europe
<ecked than abate one jot OF i'm
possible claims. then am afraid we
may all resign ourselves to deep dug
ruin.
washington . Definite Guide.
became an optimist again during
the progress of the Washington con-
ference because believed, and still be-
ieve. that 1t gave to the world for the
1rst time since three years a definite
guidance toward the way Of restora-
ton, and raised the banner OF peace
and international justice. The spirit
Of the Washington conference revived
2he hopes of masses of men and women
in many countries, and especially the
English speaking peoples, after a long
period of disillusionment bordering on
despair because there seemed to be no
common sense, no attempt to tighten
the burden OF military and naval arma-
ments pressing on as heavily after war,
and no realism in the handling of
world affairs. drifting rapidly to wrack
and ruin.
The success of the Washington con-
ference, limited in its scope, but enor-
mously important in its abolition of
naval competition and in its general
spirit of good will, seemed. In the hopes
OF many Of US. only the first step
toward a general movement forward,
by which we might get away from
chaos and the insanity Of international
conflict. The next step undoubtedly
must be great conference OF Powers
10 deal with the economic disaster that
has befallen International trade, and
by common sense and practical read
5ustments to revitalize the PURCHASING
power of old markets. to stabilize the
money exchange, TO restore q more
normal ebb and flow of world trade.
The Task for Genoa.
The Genoa conference, following the
Cannes conference has the chance of
doing that. 1t is an immensely difficult
task. and there is no magic wand by
which the present ruin Of many coun-
tries may be transformed into pros
pcrity. But 1t is not beyond the power
OF human intelligence, or ordinary
business ability, SO to reshape the
economic arrangements OF Europe that
in gradual but effective way the
world markets may recover. am con-
vinced that-politics apart--half a
dozen financial experts In the United
States, Great Britain, France and Ger
many would devise a working plan
with this result in a week of toll and
discussion.
But 1t is utterly essential that to
achieve this fun result the Genoa con-
ference should be conducted as 'busi-
ness assembly. dealing with the worlds
arithmetic as scientists interested only
In facts and not concerned with ques-
tons of political prejudice. That is
impossible at the outset, owing to the
Inherited antagonism of nations and
the claims and counter claims of jus
tice, punishment and prestige. The
next best thing. therefore, is that. as
politics must be mixed UP with eco
nomics. there should be an arbitrator
powerful enough In influence to pre-
vent the economic interests OF the con-
ference from being swamped by politi-
cal arguments which would result In
economic utilities. II is only the
United States who could insist on such
q balance.
Three Questions.
There are three questions which