The Cordova daily times., 1922-05-04
NO PLACE FOR AMERICA

Farsghtedness in American diplomacy was never more impressively illustrated than in the refusal of President Harding to send a representative of the United States to the Genoa Conference. It will be remembered that as principal reason for not sending a delegate President Harding declared that the conference was to be political and not eco- nomic In pursuance of the traditional policy of the United States of not engaging In Europ- can political entanglements he held that the people of this country desired no representa- tior at the Genoa Conference
 Scarcely had the conference organized be- fore this statement of President Harding was fully proven to be absolutely accurate. Like a thuderbolt from a clear sky came the dis closure of treaty between Soviet Russia and Germany, political in it's purpose and apparently designed to make trouble for all the other nations participating in the con- ference According to all press reports, dele gates from the other principal nations were stunned by the disclosure and doubts are ex- pressed whether it will be possible to ac- complish anything whatever at subsequent deliberations.
 Whatever may be the outcome of the situa- ton presented by the agreement entered into by Germany and Russia, it is readily to be seen that the United States has no proper place in the Genoa Conference. 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 basis of under standing which will insure each of the nations against aggression by the others and permit them to disband their military organizations. discontinue their military expenditures and concentrate their resources upon restoration of the industries of peace This international assurance is primarily political problem that must be worked out by the spokesmen ot the different governments directly concerned. On]v 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 coun- try in becoming party to the negotiations or agreements by which European differences are settled
 This country stands ready now, as 1t al ways 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 receive it in a friendly l'h>oN'io>N' IVY Genoa it would be a party to every controv- ersy and would find itself arrayed against one group or another and arousing antagonisms which would make it impossible to be factor in the promotion 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 unpre- iudiced minds. There is no likelihood what ever that the United States will officiously volunteer suggestions. Neither will it refuse, if requested, to aid in tn role of an impartial and well-wishing friend to all concerned.