THE GENOA CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18026, 27 February 1922, Page 6

THE GENOA CONFERENCE.

♦- An essential condition of real success at the Genoa Conference is complete agreement between France and Britain, and indeed among all the Allies, as to the methods and soope of the conference. A success for the Germans and the Bolsheviks would indeed result if tho Allies failed to show a united front, but the effect would not be to increase the stability or prosperity of Europe. It is therefore satisfactory to learn that Mr. Lloyd George and M. Poincare havo reached an agreement which will enable France to enter the conference without misgivings. British and French policies toward Russia have disclosed substantial differences. France has regarded the British trade agreement, which has produced practically no trade becauso Russia has nothing to export, with very great suspicion, and she will be no party to an unconditional or premature recognition of the Soviet Government. It is necessary to remember in this connection that Britain is already committed farther than France is prepared to go in the meantime. The signing of the trade agreement was generally accepted as de facto recognition of the Russian Governmentit has been so interpreted by the Court of Appeal—and recognition de jure is but another step. It is reassuring to find that this step will not be taken until Russia has given such guarantees as are within her power to give. Everyono recognises the importance of helping Russia to hor feet and furnishing her with the means of restoring her agriculture and her industry. But the preservation of European civilisation is a higher duty and the Government which still holds power in Russia has been at war with that civilisation, attempting to destroy it by violence and corrupt it by propaganda, It is true the Soviet has professed a change of policy, but it is also true that the dictators of Russia have been cynical enough to discuss, in their earlier writings, the value of a truce with capitalism as a means of undermining capitalism. For these reasons the approach to normal relations with Russia must be gradual and cautious and must depend upon the good faith of the Soviet Government.