Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-01-07
IS
OBSTACLE
AT PAR[EY'
Anticipation of U. S. at
Genoa Involved in So
Wet Recognition.
Question of Debts Owed
by Europe Factor in
Joining or Not.

Washington, Jan. 6.-(By The As
sociated Press ).-American officials
are unwilling to comment at the pras-
ent stage on the deliberations of the
allied council at Cannes, but they are
giving the impression that the United
States will be represented adequately
at the economic conference, which is
to meet at Genoa, in March.
The preponderance of official opinion
ticipation by fully accr credited delegates.
rather than by unofficial observers.
but that is point that will have TO
be decided when the detailed purposes
of the conference have become known.
Colby Committed Us.
In regard to the reported proposal
the soviet government of Russia. the
attitude of the Washington government
is less clear. Outwardly, however.
there has been no indication pointing
to a change of opinion since the Ameri
can refusal to recognize or have any
intercourse with the soviet officials
was set forth in Secretary Colby's note
Of August. 1920.
1t is known that some officials of
the present administration have been
much impressed by the arguments adj
vanced for soviet recognition and re-
sumption of full trade relations with
Russia. but on the contrary. repeated
discussions of the Russian situation at
President Harding's cabinet table. also
have developed a strong opposition TO
any recession from the position taken
heretofore by the American govern
ment.
U. S. Wished Such Conference.
What may be the reaction from the
decision of the allied council, tending
toward recognition through Russian
participation in the economic confer
ence. remains TO be seen. No official
advices as to the plan for Russian par
ticipation in the conference project
itself had reached the American gov
ernment Friday night and meantime.
high officials, both at the White House
and the state department refused to
comm ent.
The proposal to hold an information
al conference, however. to devise
means for European financial rehahili-
tat,on, is not new one. Administra-
ton officials have foreseen such a de-
velopment for several months. although
they have held that the initiative should
come from Europe. 1t has been the
expectation of some. at least, that the
United States would play an equal
part with other nations in the negotia-
tons and would not desire to rest it's
interests wholly in the hands of ''ob-
servers"
Debt Understanding Urged.
In the view of these officials. the
United States. under present conditions.
must choose between the alternatives
of being an actual factor in the con-
ference or holding entirely aloof 1t
has been explained. therefore, that the
American government would be repre-
sented by men fully acquainted with
the economic and financial difficulties
of the world
In some official circles, the sugges-
ton is advanced that before consent is
tiven to send representatives to ar
conference of this mature.
some understanding as to the ultimate
disposition of the foreign debt to this
country would be sought by the United
States. This debt is regarded in some
quarters as the most important ques-
ton which could arise Mt the confer
ence, because of its inter-relation to
the future financial plans of the ma
tions and for this reason it is thought
possible the United States may wish it
clearly understood that it's position
with regard to ultimate payment would
not be modified through its participa-
ton