Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-03-09
i. 5. DECLINES
INVITATION TO
GENOA MEETING
Conclude Meeting Is Not
Primarily to Consider
Economic Issues
NOTE GIVEN ENVOY
This Government Also Fails to Agree
With Other Powers on Participa-
ton of Bolsheviki in Conference.

Washington, March 9.--Secretary
Hughes last night announced the
frequently forecast refusal OF the
United States to participate IN the
Genoa Conference which is to meet
in April.
Rather biuntly. he said the con-
ference is not primarily financial
and economic, but political. and this
country will not be unnecessary IN
VOWED in European politics
The position Of this Government
was stated in q note from Secre.
tary Hughes tc Ambassador Ricci, OF
Italy. who transmitted the invitation
to the conference. and subsequent
communications on behalf of his
Government as the hos: Of the con-
ference.
1T has been found impossible"
Mr. Hughes stated. TO escape the
conclusion that the proposed confer
ence is not primarily an economic
conference. aS questions appear to
have been excluded from consider
alton without the satisfactory de
termination uf which the chief
causes Ol economic disturbances must
continue to operate"
He added the statement that it SIS
rather conference of political
character in which the Government
Of the United States could not help
fully participate The plain speech
Of that will bc appreciated when 1t
is recalled that the invitation was to
take part in an economic and tlnan-
cial'' conference.
Mr. Hughes; also took occasion to
restate with almost equal frankness
the position of the American Gov
ernment toward Russia. which is to
be represented ir the conference.
He SAID the American Government is
eager for the restoration OF economic
conditions that will ena0ic Russia to
regain her productive power, but
expressed the opinion that such re-
Storatjon cannot be had until ade-
uuate action is taken by chose chief
~ responsible for Russia'> present
conomic disorder :
To that reitcraticn of the Ameri-
can position toward the Soviet Gov
ernm"nt he appended a statement
as to the course that Should be fol
lowed by other nations with respect
to Russian resources that is in line
with previous declarations by the
State Department.. He held that
Russian resources should be free
from unfair exploitation. in the in
tcrcSt of the Russian people and in
justice to all the powers.
Thcsc statements regarding Rus
Si;. have especial significance in
view Of the fact thar nigh officials
who nave great weight with Secre-
ing entertain the opinion that the
big business Of thc Genoa Confer
rncc will be Russia. The insiStcnce
of the foincarc Government in
France that German rcparatons
shall not be taken up at Genoa and
revised. and the fact that the debts
Of European nations 10 the United
States may not be taken up. have
limited the lar"cr affair, of the
conference to Russia. in the Judgment
Of these officials.
lIr. Hughes did not state specifi-
call. in his note what are the qucs-
tons that nave been excluded from
with the result that
.hc conference is not really an cccn0-
mi% one. but il is understood that
German rcparations figure import
Sntly. The thought that revision Of
ncse rcparation. IS the inevitable
price that must be paid for the lay
ng Of new economic foundations in
Europe. and indeed in the world. has
been spreading il the Government. as
Il has among the people.
Since this country did not sign
the Trcatr of Versailles. under
which the rcparations are dctcrm-
med. and since it does not receive
from Germany. there is
Il natural hcsitancy in direct official
statement But it has been no Sc
cret that in tn" most influential cir
lies Of The business advisers Of the
there has been for
months the fixed conviction that
France must come 20 an overhauling
Of the economic penalties laid upon
Germany, along with Great Britain,
"hich has manifested willingness in
that direction before real recupera-
ion can be realized.