COUNCIL OF NATIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 March 1922, Page 5

COUNCIL OF NATIONS.

THE PROBLEM OF EUROPE. AMERICA STANDS OUT. SUSPICION OF AIMS. By Telearraph.—Prsss Awn.-—Copyright. Received March 9, 9.20 p.m. Washington, March 8. The State Department has announced that the United States will not be represented at the Genoa Conference. It is understood the view of the department is that the conference is solely of European concern. Though the United States holds deep sympathy for the efforts to restore Europe economically, the underlying objection is said to be that opinion here is that large military forces constitute the greatest cause of Europe’s present plight, and a reduction of these forces is the first requisite to rehabilitation. Mr. C. E. Hughes (Secretary for State) to-night delivered to the Italian Ambassador a note in reply to Italy’s invitation to the United States to attend the conference. The note said the question of American participation in the proposed conference had received most earnest attention. The United States took the deepest interest in any conference which promised effective measures to promote the economic rehabilitation of Europe, but found it impossible to escape the conclusion that the conference was not merely economic, but rather is a conference of a political character, in which the United States could not helpfully participate. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.