SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 1922. THE GENOA CONFERENCE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 29 April 1922, Page 4

SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 1922. THE GENOA CONFERENCE.

Mr Lloyd George is standing out preeminently above all other delegates at Genoa, and he is facing a problem wdiich must tax all his patience, imagination and shrewdness. Britain holds, as she has so often held, the strongest position among the European nations, and her mission is oiie of peace. She desires permanent peace in Europe and a restoration of the various nations to

sound economic conditions, but she does not desire to alienate any of her Allies in the process of laying down plans for Europe's reconstruction. France should know Britain's attitude and intentions quite well, but she is fearful lest Germany, whom she cannot trust, should be a serious menace to her again as in the- past. The fear of Germany is the dominate note with the French people, and they cannot apparently accept the fact that there has been an enormous change in Germany and throughout Europe as the result of the war. , But much as it is desired that France and Britain should continue the Entente .:nd remain _ the best of friends, the situation in Europe cannot possibly remain as it is. Britain's Prime Minister

gave a very serious warning in yesterday's cable messages of the dangers ahead, and he and all good British citizens rightly hope that ways of directing the nations in the paths of lasting peace will be found. Victory in the war has placed upon the victors an enormous responsibility. It does not give France the right to adopt the attitude that Germany must for ever be crushed and that Russia must be kept in isolation until she completely starves' to death. Neither Germany nor Russia can be wiped off the map, and however Uygak their jQßitij-i t-O-'lay, they will ] some day be powerful nations. They are both moat difficult to deal with, and neithei' can he i-elied upon for fair play, but sShiehow a way must be found to lead thefii into a better attitude towards the Allies and America if the future is to be made reasonably secure. The Genoa Conference was called for that purpose, and though it has not brought many final decisions so far the j fact of the nations coming together for I discussion is at least some sign of progress. We do not think that any of the nations represented want to see a renewal of warfare, but unless some* definite plan of co-operation and general agreement can be arrived at there- is bound to arise a spirit of revenge among the nations who are still suffering from the bitterness of defeat. Mr Lloyd George knows that better perhaps than any other man, and he is devoting the whole of his energies towards finding some way out of the difficulties. If he succeeds he wall add the crowning glory to his wonderful record. He has been the great central champion of Liberty and Democracy ever since he took up the work of Prime Minister, and his persistence* patience, and shrewdness in successfully handling most intricate problems encourage the hope that he may be successful at Genoa.- We do not realise how much depends upon the power of the British Prime Minister, who, with our other great statesmen, is earnestly seeking for a strong basis for permanent peace throughout the world.