Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-04-18
A GERMAN VICTORY?

THICK fogs persist in the line of vision
i between the United Staes and Genoa
and. despite all the news and rumors ssu-
ing from the place at which the future of
the white mans world is at stake. we on
this side Of the world have to guess at the
import Of motives and purposes hidden or
actually sccrcted in weltcr Of technical
argument. We can do no more than base
leading opinions on such obvious or con-
spicuous moves as have broad, clear and
general meaning.
1t was such move that led suddenly to
the formal recognition of the Russian
Soviots by the Government at berlin. The
cables say that this maneuver was rude
shock to the allied representatives at the
Genoa conference. This IS easy to believe
For it reflects not the diplomacy of political
Germany. but the diplomacy Of German big
business and high finance. II wasn't the
Wirth Government. but the higher govern
ment Of SHINES and his associated capital
ist politicians that shook hands officially
and linked arms with the Moscow dictators.
4 dream seems to have been realized for
those in Berlin who have believed that a
working agreement between German organ
izcrs and technicians and the Russia of
illmitablo raw materials was all that was
needed TO restore German energy and Ger
man ambition.
The Soviet delegates clearly have been
playing ruthless politics. The question at
issue between those who believed in n miti-
cation of the peace terms imposed on the
Germans and those who didn't was whether
Germany should be forced slowly out of the
family Of European nations into the well
coming arms of Russia. Such an alliance
might easily result in military and eco
nomir machine SO powerful that all the
e II l,n
quircd to hold it in check. The Sovicts in
seeking German political co operation have
plainly sought to leave the rest Of Europe
with choice between alternatives
recognition Of Moscow or the prospect Of
new economic warfare and a revived mill
tarSm.
Lloyd George and the majority Of the
statesmen NJ Genoa have been eagerly seek
ing for ways through which to relieve
Europe of the paralyzing effect Of Russian
isolation. They were steering cautiously
toward n program Of diplomatic recognition.
Tn" Soviets have tempted them sorely.
They have virtually put the undovclOped
resources N Russia up for sale and the
pri"" they ask is political sanction abroad
for their scheme Of government. All Europe
outsid" of Germany has had something to
lose By a recognition Of Moscow and more.
lose and everything to gain. So it was
Germany that made the first peace at Genoa
I'nQucStionably. II the act Of formal
recognition is ratified the moral advantages
of til" situation will b" ON the side of the
Germans. They can call themselves tn"
first friends Of the Boi>hcvistS and they will
say. Of course. thar their policy compelled
Soviet recognition elsewhere That. perhaps.
is just tho opportunity that they have been
seeking. II may prove in the end that til"
stupcndous bill for damages which Russia
presented to Europe AT the opening OF the
conference was little more than II herring
whipped across the trail I" divert attention
while Germany got into line. For. while
recognition by any other Power might not
have forced tn" hand Of Europe in this in
stance. II is logical Ia believe that no great
European Government will b" content TO
stay out of Russia after Germany has on
tered formally and with bells on.