The New York herald., 1922-05-26

problems we engaged. First OF All was
the financial commission, presided over
with very great ability by the Chan-
cellor OF the Exchequer (Birkenhead).
There were an economic commission
transport commission and polltlcai
commission Before all of these the
Secretary of State for War (Sir Lamlng
Worthington -Evans) and the Minister
Of Overseas Trade (Sir Philip Lloyd
Greame) appeared in behalf or this
country and rendered the most valuable
assistance.
To stabilize Exchange.
with regard to the financial COM
mission, IL made an attempt TO re-
establish currencies and remove the IN
stability of exchanges. The commission
not only defined conditions under which
the currency and exchange problems or
Europe can be solved but also Indicated
the precise steps to be taken. and ar
ranged for the initiation of reforms, all
meeting with the consent OF bankers.
The resolution which aimed at the re-
moval of currency difficulties began
with a currency code. The object OF
this code is to anchor paper currency
again. directly or indirectly, to goid
and to secure the inauguration of
credit policy in order to prevent nue.
tuations.
with regard to exchanges the prim-
arv resolution was that artificial con-
troll of exchange operations shoulo pe
removed in order that nothing should
stand in the way of the recovery OF
exchanges as currency RECEIVERS anu
Exports improve. Trade was checked,
we found. by the absence OF credit
There was very fruitful suggestion
made in the organization of an inter-
national corporation. to which assist
ance was rendered by some OF the lead
ing countries of TIE world. Restrlc-
lions impediments and unfair condltlohs
in the way of trade were to be found
everywhere.
1T is one of the unfortunate results
that war which demonstrated the
power of international good Will almost
more than any event in the history OIL
the world should have ended in the abb
normal development of narrow. selfish
and blind nationalism You found that
in every direction-in customs, in re-
strictions of trade and transport. | am
verp hopeful that the reports OF the
various commissions. upon which most
of these nations represented collaporat-
ed, would have the effect of producing
a great Improvement in some or these
unfortunate conditions. Although peace
was established in Europe, 1t was quite
certain extent, remained.
suspicion Pervaded Europe.
'rt was commercial war. transport
war a customs war. diplomatic war.
q war OF armaments, and even war
of marching and counter-marching OF
armies There was an atmosphere In
Europe of international suspicion and
AZ not p
urally. which occupied the most atten-
ton of the delegation, the one which
excited the most controversy was the
problem of Russia. l think It is essen
tial that / should state the facts frankly
and fearlessly as they appear to us.
because unless we get to the realities OF
the European situation, we shall never
clear IL up.
There sat around the table the repre-
sentatives OF thirty-four nations. over
there sat the Russian delegation. repre-
senting more human poverty. wretched-
ness desolation hunger, pestilence, hor-
ror and despair than all the other ma
tions represented. That was the first
fact. The other fact was that without
the assistance OF the other thirty Ma
tions it was hopeless for Russia, what
ever its government, to extricate itsei.
from that pit of squalid misery.
'The Russian people are a gallant peo-
pi a loyal and patient people, capable
OF greater heights of unselfish devotion
than almost any race in the world. as
demonstrated during the first two or
three years of the war, when, more par
ticuarly on one occasion. they sacrificed
themselves to the Allies. But also they
are people accustomed for generations
10 obey ruthless and relentless autoc-
racy, and a people who. under the
lash of despair, have been very for-
midab BILE to their neighbors.
There sat men, the unchallenged
masters for the time being of the fate
OF that formidable, but very DISTRESSED
people. The millions OF Russia could
only be dealt with through them. They
could only be brought into contact with
the outside world through them--could
only be rescued from hunger and death
through them. The treasures of Rus
STA could not be locked to the outside
world. except through them. Peace OF
war with Russia could only be made
through thme--through them only.
Three Facts ms to Russia.
THAT first fact you had 10 get well
In mind before YOU began the business
with Russia There were three facts
OF dealing with the situation with which
we were confronted. and it was not a
question which OF the three we would
have preferred, but II was question OF
which was possible. First OF all was
the expedlent which had been tried, and
failed. of using force No one suggested
II al Genoa. Another was leaving Rus
sia to her fate until she had more
benevolent and acceptable Government
The third was that her adherence e.
principles as to the conduct OF her
Government precluded relations with the
people under its sway
with regard to the first ! dismiss 1t
as no one discussed IL at Genoa. come
10 the second, which we had In oul
minds and which we might have beer
driven to adopt---that Is, that we should
leave Russia To her fate until she
changes her Government. NO one pu
tt forward at Genoa, and II / examine
IL now Il Is only because the only possi'
bility left is the third alternative.
want this House OF Commons and the
country TO realize what IL means. aftei
tho facts which came to our knowledg,
at Genoa IL we leave Russia 10 its fate
assuming this Government goes, wha
next?
at is either question Of more ex
treme Communist organization or tn,
possibility OF military government
would hungry Russia sit quiet and die
That is not the experience OF the past