Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-05-16
Tuesday, May is, 1922.
THE MIDDLE IN EUROPE

properly regret that their prediction
is coming true. Possibly Lloyd
Georges gloom over the outlook is
not entitled to full confidence. he is
such an interested party, his personal
fortunes being so dependent on the
outcome. Nevertheless it Is difficult
to escape the conclusion that Russia's
participation has served to intensity
the line OF cleavage between France
and England and has emphasized the
discord between the conflicting inter-
osts Of those countries, and the in
ability of the powers Of Europe in the
face of bankruptc,- to accomplish
practical results lends force to the
forebodings Of the British premier.
The most depressing feature Of the
outcome is the revelation of sordid-
ness underlying every move that Is
made. The peoples and those who
represent them are thinking of
what there is in it" rather than about
what would be just. A higher note
was reached at the Washington Con-
ference. While one must expect that
on payday the perplexing problem
will be where is the money coming
FROM" yet. even so, one would wish
to see some indication of spirit
above sordidness. There was no one
to lay a sacrifice on the conference
table and invite the others to match
It, as was done by America at Wash
ington. On the contrary there was
from the first an atmosphere of in
trigue and insincerity about the whole
affair.
In the first place the Communist
oliGarchy which is exploiting Russia
has in every way shown that it is
disqualified for meeting civilized
countries on a footing of equality.
and but for the desire or the part of
England to gain a trade foothold in
Russia probably would neve~ have
been granted this privilege. The treaty
made between Germany and Russia
In utter disregard of the conference
in which they had been invited to
participate and in which they were
-. In, hNaT1
betrayal of good faith were it not
pretty evident that other parties to
the conference were likewise en-
dcavoring to go behind the back OF
the conference and obtain selfish adj
vantage. The whole affair evinced
about as much scruple as a game of
strip poker" if any dependence is to
be placed on a noticeable conccnsus
among the reports, while coming to
light day by day was the revelation
that England and Franc were finding
at conflict what they believed to be
their interests.
Havins possession of the finest
iron mines in Europe and coveting the
Ruhr coal fields some of the leading
minds in France evidently were con-
WINGED that IL these might be taken
in event OF Germany's failure to meet
the demands of reparation France
would be placed at great disadvan-
tage for controlling the iron and steel
business of Europe, a powerful advan-
tage and one which England might
not hope to overcome. Furthermore.
France. to which Russia is SO deeply
in debt for good French money loaned
would naturally find making con-
cessions TO her plunderers very re-
pugnant. 1t is easy to understand
why she has been insistent at Genoa,
and we believe she has had justicce
on her side, even If her policy is
found to be on the whole unwise.
In view Of all that has transpired
at Genoa this country has cause for
congratulating itself that it was not
directly involved. If it were clear
that Americas presence about the
conference table would have proved
capable of elevatng the meeting to
a higher plane our presence there
might have appeared our duty. How
ever. no one may deny that all the
world is involved indirectly. A way
must be found by which the people of
this earth may be able to exchange
the products of civilized endeavor or
there must be in the end reversion to
barbarism. Russians rst have an
opportunity to produce and a chance
20 sell. The same is true of every
country. Some foundation fol- credit
must be found or we will be back to
conditions existing when the savages
invented wampum.
These faVs are understood by the
greediest and already efforts are be-
ins made for the meeting of the bank
ing sub commission Of the Reparation
Commission at Paris. The import
ance Of this is plain. as on May 81
France must decide what to do II
Germany fails to pay. The French
premier has declared his purpose to
resort to force 90 he boz - 49,,