The Washington herald., 1922-02-19


Mr.. Hughes both obtained their
first notice of such a proposal by
reading of 1t in the newspapers.
Although 1t was patent that Amer
lean presence at the Genoa con-
ference was desired, although II
was clear that in the view of
Lloyd George and NJ. BRAND alike
American presence was essential
to success, not the least considera-
ton was shown to the United
States in the matter.
Desired Separate Maneuver.
Therefore. the United States was
hound to conclude and did con-
cIude that the agreement at Cannes
calling the Genoa conference rep
resented a desperate maneuvre OF
three prime ministers, Lloyd
George, BRAND and Bonomi, who
saw their domestic political situa-
tIons exceedingly embarrassed and
sought at one time to fortify
themselves and placate their par
liaments by calling a new con-
ference.
In the American opinion the
proposals for this conference were
ton rather than a carefully meas
ured plan. The fact that both NJ.
BRAND and Signor Bonomi subse-
Uuently fell demonstrates pretty
clearly to the American mind the
origin of the proposal for the
Genoa conference. The American
government still feels if not in
dignant at least surprised that its
views and its conditions should
have been totally ignored alike in
the decision to hold conference
and in the agreement upon the
aEenda of that conference. and IL
feels quite as strongly that the
rEenda itself gives very little
promise of useful results.
Now, turning to the American
aspect of the question of the
Genoa conference the situation is
this: We have just completed the
Washington conference. which has
successfully dealt with the qucs-
ton of naval ornaments. But the
treaties which have been agreed
upon in recent sessions are now be-
fore the United States Senate. 1t
is true that at the moment when
they reached the Senate there was
every indication that they would
he ratified. But II was equally
true that prior to ratification there
was and is certain to be a con-
siderable fight. There Is an oppo-
sition in the Senate which. if not
numerically strong. includes some
OF the best fighters. To ratify
the treaties. too. it will be neces-
sary to enlist Democratic votes.
Thought HI-Timed-
In this situation the Harding
administration feels that it is a
misfortune that the Genoa confer
ence should have been called so
precipitately and that an effort
should have been made to involve
it in a new conference before the
fesults Of the previous conference
have been established by the ac-
ton of the United States Senate.
1t Is quite obvious today that if
a Genoa conference were proceed
ing noncommitantly with a Sem
ate debate upon the Washington
treaties, incidents and episodes at
Genoa might tend to give strength
to the opposition to the Washing
ton treaties, and that what was
gained here might be lost without
any compromising advantage de-
rived from the Genoa meeting.
It follows then that the United
States government has welcomed
the course taken by NJ. Poincare in
urging a three-months' postpone
ment of the Genoa conference. The
United States government does not
desire to participate in any new
conference until the debate in the
United States Senate over the
washington treaties is terminated.
II is not hostile to such a confer
cnce, il recognizes that under GER
tain circumstances such a confer.
ence might lead to very useful re-
suits. but il does feel for itself that
such a conference is premature. and
as write these lines the determine
tion not to participate is unmis-
taxable.
There is a second obstacle from
the American point of view. The
United States government does not
believe the time has arrived to set
down at a table for a general dis
cussion with the representatives of
Russia. 1t sees in such a general
discussion under such circumstances
an actual recognition of the exist |
ing Russian) regime and condona-
ton of all that has been done by
that regime. 1t recognizes that
there is in the United States very
profound opposition to any such
appreciates the fact that this oppo-
sition might complicate the debate
over the Washington treaties and
might materially restrict the USE
fulness Of American participation
in any international conference.
Ultimate Necessity Realized.
Now, on the positive side there
IS here clear recognition of the ul-
innate necessity for a new interna-
tional conference. a conference to
deal with the economic condition of
the world. Sooner or later the United
States government expects to par
ticfpate in such a conference, but
!, believes very emphatically that
to succeed such a conference must
have very restricted agenda. And
il believes quite as strongly that
certain things must still happen in
the world to open the eyes of the
people in all countries to the actual
facts.
Sooner or later an. international
conference must deal with the
whole subject of international in
debtedness. which includes German
PREPARATIONS and allied debts to the
United States But at the moment
neithte the people Of the United
Statesyor of France are adequately
educated to the fundamental facts
in . sssituation- Until this educa-
ti6nSis : ajeved lie real good can
flow from 4 conference