Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-05-17
US. ANXIOUS TO AID
IN RUSSIAN AFFAIRS
Ready to Send Envoy to The
Hague if Proposals Are
Modified.
ny DAVID LAWRENCE.

Although on the surface it may seem
as if the United States has again re-
fused to cooperate with European pow
ers, the truth is the government here
is not only ready but anxious to partici-
pate in a conference on Russian affairs.
From the White House itself comes
the information that the American gov
eminent stands ready today to send
representative to The Hague or any
where else to discuss the Russian ques-
ton and that if the powers will modify
their proposal so as to remove features
Objectionable to this country American
cooperation can be assured.
President Harding feels that the door
is open for American help and wants it
clearly understood.
Child's Action Explained.
The Department of State significantly
enough went into details today in ex
planning what appeared to be dis
crepancy between the informal state
ments Of bassador Child. in Genoa.
and the action of the American govern
ment in declining the invitation to The
Hague conference.
Cablegrams have reported the Brit
ish public as amazed at the American
refusal, because Ambassador Child was
reported as having promised Ameri-
can cooperation. The truth of the
case is that when the powers ap-
preached Ambassador Child they told
tee to study the Russian question.
Mr. Child asked the Department of
State what would be it's attitude and
received a reply telling him the gov
eminent here was sympathetic with
the proposal and to send more infor-
nation.
Before he could do so the invitation
of the powers with the specific pro-
posals concerning The Hague confer
ence were called. This. of course,
looked merely like a shifting of the
Genoa conference itself to The
Hague, and again the American gov
eminent felt that it would be involv-
ing itself in political controversies.
U. 8. Using Moral suasion.
But both President Harding and
Secretary Hughes believe much can
be accomplished if the Russian Ques-
ton is treated as an economic mat
ter and If the Russians will respect
private rights and property and thus
afford a basis for economic dealing
with other nations. The American
reply Is intended as a piece of moral
suasion. it being hoped that the pow
ers will be able to persuade the Rus
slams that the giving OF American
help will be seriously considered in
Washington just as soon as an eco
nomic basis can be achieved which
IYt
tending it's hand. This accounts for
the speed with which the American
reply was dispatched. The powers in
conference at Genoa were expected to
use the American note as a medium
for further negotiation with the Rus
SLAMS.
In official quarters here it is fully
realized that the United States can
exert powerful influence on, the
direction Of European affairs at the
present moment, and the responsible
ties of the United States in the cir
with indifference.
The readiness of President Harding
to participate in g. conference of the
powers on Russian matters is in it.
self the first indication of an affirma-
tive action in a European question.
The United States does not wish to
dictate the conditions and had hoped
that the powers would reach an
agreement to recognize Russia and
that the United States would follow
suit. The desire of France to follow
America and the eagerness of the
powers to have America express her
opinions is fully appreciated, and the
significant thing lis that the Harding
administration says publicly it will
enter a conference under certain con-
ditions. These terms, it is supposed
will not be difficult to arrange, and
hor ,inxS
alterable position the prospect may
be said to look bright for American
co operation. after all.
fConvrizht 1o19