The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-04-12
RUSSIA MAIN
SUBJECT At
GENOA MEET
Of t h G
Soviet Government
Will Probably B e
First Question Con-
sidered

Genoa. April 9.-The recogni-
ton Of Russia is a dominant ques-
ton in the Genoa conference and
will probably be the first subject
taken under consideration. All
discussion Will begin and end with
Soviet Russia. whose $50 100000
inhabitants and territory compriS-
ing a large fraction Of the earth s
surface overshadow the smaller
states which make up the mass Of
representation at Genoa.
The supreme councils Cannes
resolution of January 6, from
which the Genoa conference grew,
announced that steps must be talk
en- toward the economic recon-
struction of Central and Easter"
Europe IN order 10 restore inter
national commerce and develop the
resources of "all'' countries, which
clearly includes Russia.
The agenda, which later devel-
oped from that resolution while su-
perfcially dealing with financial
and commercial questions seems
impossible of discussion without
consideration Of the basic political
problems. Article l Of the agenda
makes reference to examination of
the best methods for the execution
of the principles contained in the
resolution passed at Cannes by the
supreme council on January g.
The Italian delegation, to whom
the direction Of the conference has
been entrusted, explains that this
article is the pivot on which the
conference must work. Referring
especially to relations with Rus
sia and her recognition. a consor~
tium was mentioned at Cannes.
This plan was stoutly resisted by
Russia, which has been joined IN
this opposition. by Poland, G2stho-
MIA and Latvia, which met with
Russia at the recent Riga confer
ence and signed a protocol pledg-
ing themselves to stand for Russian
recognition and unite.i opposition
to consortium.
This attitude Of the Baltic en-
tente against the proposed con-
sortium was based on the belief
that the great powers contem-
plated infringing their sovereignty
through financial control and hoped
to place them in the position of
colonies, much, it was argued, as
had been done with China.
Article 2 of the agenda speaks
of The establishment of Euro
pean peace on a solid basis" This
section, according to the Cannes
discussion, aims at finding a
means whereby controversies be-
tween nations can be solved with :
out recourse to the barbarous use
Of arms"
This article naturally will bring
about a discussion of land arma-
ment. which was impossible at
the Washington conference owing
to French opposition. AS most Of
the European nations are finding
excessive military budgets ruin
Gus this has great financial i'm
portance.
Russia asserts that she is will
ing TO reduce her army if Japan
evacuates Siberia and Rumania
evacuates BesSarabia and guaran-
tees for the security Of its boun-
dries are given. France contends
that she cannot reduce her army
because Germany is not complying
with the Versailles treaty.
Article 3 Of the agenda refer:
to essential conditions for the re-
establishment OF confidence, with
out affecting existing treaties"
This, according to the Cannes
discussion had TO do with the in
allied debts. which We're not men
toned because il was learned such
mention would prevent American
participation The clause with
out affecting existing treaties" was
insisted upon by France in order
to prevent revision of the repara
tons provisions of the Versailles
treaty Article i deals with finan-
cial questions:
First, currency: second. central
banks; third. public finance in con-
nection with. reconstruction; fourth,
exchange, and nth. organization
Of public and private credit
Article 5 OF the agenda covers
economic and commercial ques-
tions:
First. facilitations and suaran-
tees for export and import COM
merce: second. legal guarantees
for the resumption of commerce;
third, protection Of industrial. lit
erary and artistic properly; fourth,
consular regulations: fifth, admis-
sion and status OF foreigners in
connection with their participation
in trade; sixth. technical assistance
TO be given in the work of recon
trIction
Article 6 OF the agenda deals
with transportation