The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-03-09
GENOA REPLY
IS FIRST ACT
OF PRESSURE
Refusal to Participate May Be
Viewed as Move to Promote
Economic Rehabilitation,
Official Says.
U. S. STAND EXPLAINED
tBy Associated Press)

w WASf1lNGlON, March 9.-RefuSdl
of the United States to participate in
the Genoa conference may be viewed
as the first act in a campaign Of
"tactful pressure" to promote eco
nomic rehabilitation of Europe, it was
said today by high official Of the
American government.
1t should not be regarded, this offic-
ial said, as an indication of the United
States desire to hold aloft from the
grave problems confronting European
nations
Secretary Hughes note to Italy con
veying the declination of the United
States of the invitation to participate
in the Genoa meeting should be in
terpreted, it was said, rather as an ex-
preston of Americas willingness to
aid whenever it was felt that its aid
could be rendered effectively.
The United States cannot afford to
enter into situation where the help
expected from it cannot be given, Of
1lclals explained, adding that the
american government must be viewed
as holding its support in abeyance and
to such time as the European nations
get down to brass tacks" in the mat
ter OF setting their houses in order.
U. S. Attitude.
economic problems regarded by this
country OF supreme importance in the
consideration of methods of rehabilita-
ton include principally the rearrang-
ed map of German reparations and
balancing budget for certain foreign
nations
Without consideration of these
questions in the view of the United
States, it was said, there could be no
practical attempt at worldwide eco
nomlc readiustment.
While it is thought improbable that
there would be change in the agenda
OF the Geona conference before its
meeting on April 10 which would per
init the United States to be represent.
ed officially, officials said the Amer.
lean ambassador at Rome might at
tend the conference to report its pro-
ceedlngs to this government.
Stay Out of Politics
Inc decllnation was conveyed In a
note yesterday from Secretary Hughes
to Ambassador Ricci of Italy. who had
presented the invitation extended bv
ms government pursuant to the reso.
luton adopted by the allied govern
ments at the Cannes conference.
The note, made public last night.
emphasized the desire of the Ameri-
can people to assist in the economic
recovery of Europe, but stated the
United States could not be unmindfuI
or their clear conviction" that they
should not unnecessarily become in
vowed In European political ques-
tions''
nnfo "a a1 thn&
/ pear to have been excluded from CON
sideration without the satisfactory de-
| termination of which the chief causes
of economic disturbance must continue
| to operate
Without the establishment in Rus
sia of the essential bases of produc-
tivity, the note stated "the United
States government believes all consid-
eratIons of economic revival to be fu-
tile" The conviction was expressed
that this could not be secured until
adequate action is taken by those
chiefly responsible for Russia's pres
ent economic disorder
| LONDON, March 9-The decision
of the United States not to participate
in the Genoa conference will not affect
the date of, nor the plans for the CON
/ ference as far as Great Britain is con
cerned, it was stated officially here.
The American refusal was no sur
prise TO official circles. where the re-
aliZation exists, it is said, that efforts
to consumate the results of the Wash
ington armament conference by ratifi-
cation of the various conference treat
les are engaging the American govern
ment's attention primarily at present
1t is the British belief that the other
nations invited to attend the Genoa
meeting will be present
While it is known that Russia de.
sired American representation, IT is
not thought likely she will risk losing
her long sought opportunity to re
enter the conference of powers by
: declining to take part in the Genoa
gathering.
The Pail Mall Gazette and Globe
, says:
America gives very disappointing
, support to those endeavoring to make
real. constructive progress in the res
, toration of Europe's economic life
a task of deeper Importance than the
mere activities of a soup Kitchen