, 1922-04-24
Not Our Party

IF THERE WAS ANY DOUBT as to Mr.. Harding's
Il farsightedness in declining to send a representa-
tation to the Genoa conference, surely he has been
indicated in his wisdom by results of that confer
ence so far shown. It win be recalled that the prin-
eipal reason assigned was that the gathering was
for political purposes and not economical ones. In
pursuance of the traditional policy of the United
States of not engaging in European political entangie-
nents the president held that the people Of this
country desired no representation at the Genoa con-
ference.
Scarcely had the conference organized before this
statement Of President Harding was fully proven to
be absolutely accurate. Like a thunderbolt from a
clear sky came the disclosure of a treaty between
Soviet Russia and Germany, political in its purpose
and apparently designed to make trouble for all the
other nations participating in the conference. Ac-
cording to press reports, delegates from the other
principal nations were stunned by the disclosure and
doubts are expressed whether it will be possible to
accomplish anything whatever at subsequent DELHI
~erations.
Whatever may be. the outcome of the situation
presented by the agreement entered into by Ger
many and Russia. it is readily to be seen that the
United States has no proper place in the Genoa con-
ference. Undoubtedly the problems of Europe need
solution. Certain it is that there can be no great
progress or reconstruction in Central and Eastern
Europe until there has been reached a basis of un-
derstanding which will insure each Of the nations
against aggression by The others and permit them to
disband their military organizataona discontinue
their military expenditures and concentrate their re-
sources upon restoration of the industries of peace.
This international assurance is primarily a political
problem that must be worked out by the spokesman
of the different governments directly concerned.
Only IN a very remote degree Is the United States
interested in the political relationships between the
different nations of Europe. Its interest is not so
direct as to justify this country in becoming a party
to The negotiations or agreements by which Europe
an differences are settled.
This country stands ready now, as it always has.
to give friendly assistance to other nations in the
settlement of their differences, if they see fit, by
mutual consent, to ask for such assistance and re-
ceive it in a friendly way. If the United States were
represented at Genoa it would be a party to every con-
troversy and would find itself arrayed against one
group or another and arousing antagonisms which
would make it impossible to De a factor in the pro-
motion of peace. The quarrels are not ours, and
however much we might desire to see them ended in
order that prosperity and happiness may be restored
in Europe there is no possibility of our being able
to assist by becoming a party. Our first duty is to
Put our own house thoroughly IN order and thus by
our example show other nations what they might well
do themselves. and stand ready, if invited. to assist
in compromising or otherwise ending differences in
which we have no personal interest and which we
could, therefore. assist in adjudicating with unprej-
udiced minds. There is no likelihood whatever that
the United States will officiously volunteer sugges-
lions. Neither will it refuse, if requested, to aid in
the role of an impartial and w~ell-wishing friend to an
concerned.