The New York herald., 1922-01-11
HARDING WITHHOLDS
DECISION ON GENOA
Continued from First Page.

ticipate in the Genoa conference was
clearly reflected by the statements
made to American officials by British.
French. Italian and Netherlands rep
resentatives. The fact is that discus
sion of tho economic situation has
turned largely upon the attitude of the
American Government. There is a
very good reason to believe the in
vitation which is to be sent to this
country to delegate representatives to
assist in the economic rehabilitation
of Europe will be accepted, but on
terms which must be satisfactory.
Suggestions that certain phases of
the agenda before the pending inter-
national conference might with pro-
priety be left for discussion and final
decision at Genoa have not met with
favor among officials OF this Govern
ment. On more than one occasion In
the last two o. three days they have
expressed the opinion in conversation
with tEeir European associates that
''there is no time like tie present"
Opposition to Transfer.
Some Of the foreign delegates have
become convinced that this Govern
ment does not see the necessity for
passing along to Genoa the general
problems for which the Washington
conference was organized nor to defer
attempts to solve them.
President Harding recently has in
dlcated his personal belief that the
Governments of Europe which are
Aof ira. of fnT
by the unsettled economic conditions
there should provide evidence of their
sincerity in trying to devise means for
restoring normal conditions before the
United States indicates its own posi-
ton regarding them.
Back of this statement and those
made by other officials of the Ameri-
can Government to representatives Of
foreign Powers there seems to be the
determination to adhere to constltu-
tional and foreign policies and avoid
ENHANCEMENT in the political differ
ences that exist between some of the
continental countries. 1t is held by
leading American officials that no
better opportunity will be provided at
Genoa than is now available at Wash
ington for discussion and settlement
of the issues that prompted President
Harding to arrange the pending con-
ference.
Further than this, it is believed to
be the opinion Of officials of this
Government that they should make
their acceptance of the Genoa invita-
ton contingent on an understanding
that it is to be genuine economic
venture, and is not to be used as the
theater for purely political discus
sions and diplomatic intrigues.
Some of the more candid Ameri-
can officials express the opinion that
there's been enough of both exploited
hero at Washington. and the expert
ence has been OF tremendous value in
pointing the way to future safety"
Significance of Statement
The significance of this statement
lies in the fact that it accurately re-
fleets the viewpoint of American Of
ficials in approaching future confer
ence projects. The understanding OF
some of the most important officials
Of this Government is that 1t will re-
serve its decision regarding the in
vitation to send representatives to the
Genoa conference until It is fully in
formed regarding the actual motive
and scope of It's undertakings.
This information is expected from
Ambassador Harvey upon the ad-
journment OF the Cannes gathering.
Definite instructions are understood to
have been sent to the Ambassador re-
vealing the views of the United States
regarding any undertaking that has
for its purpose restoration of normal
economic conditions in Europe. These
instructions undoubtedly amplify the
statements made by President Har-
ding during the last two or three
weeks.
The substance of the Presidents
statements was that the United States
is willing to cooperate with It's Eu-
ropean friends in any genuine eco
nomic enterprise, but that 1t first must
be convinced that any project of this
kind will not be governed by selfish
considerations or devoted to exploita-
ton of conflicting national ambitions
or dictated by racial preiudices.
In other words. 1t is understood to
Inc the position Of this country that
the proposed economic conference at
Genoa shall not be used to stage
repetition of the intrigues. animosities
and political disputes that at times
have threatened the harmony OF the
Washington conference.