Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-03-10
For Representative to Congress
HON. JOHN E. NELSON
Of Augusta
NOT PRIMARILY ECONOMIC

II am sure that you will realize
that the government OF the United
States must take a deep interest in
any conference which holds promise
OF effective measures to promote the
economic rehabilitation of Europe,
since not only do we keenly desire
the return of prosperity to the peo-
pies who have suffered most severely
from the wastes and dislocations OF
war, but II is also manifest that there
can be no improvement in world con-
ditions in the absence of European
recuperation. 1t is with this sympa-
thetic spirit. and with the reluctance
TO withhold its support from any APP
propriate effort to attain this object.
that the government of the United
states has examined the resolution
adopted at Cannes and the suggested
agenda for the conference.
II regret to inform your excellency
that. as result OF this examination,
IL has been found impossible to es-
cape the conclusion that the pro-
posed conference is not primarily an
economic conference, as questions APP
pear to have been excluded from con-
sideration without the satisfactory
determination OF which the chic:
causes of economic disturbance must
continue to operate, but is rather
conference Of a political character in
which the government OF the United
states could not helpfully participate.
This government cannot be unmlnd- :
ful OF the clear conviction OF the AM
erican people, while DESTROYS, as has
been abundantlv demonstrated. suit
ably TO assist in the recovery of the
economic life OF Europe, that they
should not unnecessarily become In
VOWED In European political ques-
tons"
These are unequivocal words which
Secretary Hughes employs in his re-
ply TO the invitation to join with Eu-
rope in the affairs of the Genoa Con-
ference. He reiterates Americas at
'titude toward Russia and takes occa-
.sion TO express the hope that while
awaiting the establishment of the es-
.sential basis of productivity in Rus
STA - nothing should be done
'iooking to the obtaining of economic
advantages in Russia which would
impair the Just opportunities of 9TH
ers . -
4, The administration has taken time
, for due consideration of this question
. OF whether to be represented at the
Genoa Conference. 1t has recognized
1.-THE need OF such a conference under
A. taken in the right spirit and &C
knowledges our interest in the &c.
(. onomic rehabilitation of Europe. 1t
. Is convinced. however, that good rea-
sons exist why the United States
{. should not participate in settlement
: Of Europe's political muddlcs, which
should be cleared before an cconom-
, &c conference is begun. 1t cannot, in
. light OF It's attitude to the existing
government in Russia, sit in confer
ence that tacitly recognizes the re-
gime Of Lenin and Trotzky.
The futility OF taking part in such
a conference until we shall have been
able TO complete our part of the work
begun Mt the Washington Conference
is apparent and it is to be regretted
that the prospect OF this being done
before the meeting OF the conference
at Genoa is not promising, judging
from reports of the Senate contro-
versy over the treaties.
This is the only logical attitude for
this country at this time. If the
other parties take effective steps to
put their own houses in order and
demonstrate that they are not will
ing to decker recognition of the
rascals now at the helm in Russia
for opportunities of trade and we
shall have succeeded in ratifying the
treaties and receive assurance that
our debt claims are recognized then
il may be incumbent on us to parti-
cipate in some conference to aid in
adjusting the economic conditions
OF the world. Undoubtedly We
are interested in such an
achievement: we are not Isolated:
W. cannot ignore the situation and
we are not seeking to evade obliga-