The sun., 1919-01-25
FRENCH LOAN UP
TO B0LSHEVIKI
If Reds Go to Princes Islands
Farley Pre-War Debt Will
Be First Subject.
MUST GIVE GUARANTEES
Peace Council Still Waits for
Replies From Rival Fac
tiOns in Russia.
MUST GIVE GUARANTEES
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
PARIS Jan. 24.-Recognition OF Rus
sias pre-war national debt to France
by the Lenine- -Trotzky Government
will be one of the first Subjects dis
cussed at Princes Islands should the
Bolshevik leaders accept the invitation
Of the Peace Conference to meet there.
While Russia is debtor to all OF
the Allies except Italy there IL feel
ing in Frances official circles that the
French debt should receive priority.
as 1t was contracted much earlier
during the time OF peace-whlle the
British and American claims only date
back to the war period. Russian bonds
are widely scattered throughout France
and there are more than 2,000,O 900 hold
ers, among them many workinsmen,
small proprietors and tradesmen, whose
savings OF a whole lifetime are in
vested
II seems doubtful whether replies to
the inquiries addressed by the Supreme
Council to the various Russian factions
will be received in time for Saturdays
session of the full Peace Conference.
Doubt About status of ENJOYS.
In fact it develops that the Russians
now IN Paris asserting they represent
the anti -Rolsheviki play not te conpe-
tent to pass upon the question them
selves. They have credentials convey
Ing powers unknown to the Peace Con-
ference. The Council is disposed to ac-
Mt. sNn
event the Russians now here participate
in the meeting on the Princes Islands:
otherwise, It Is said, Il will be necessary
to await the decisions OF the home Gov
ernments OF the various factions IN
Russia.
This determination, II IS held, becomes
important IN view OF the expressed dis
inclination OF the Russians now IN Paris
to meet their enemies at r council table.
1t has been learned that the animat.ng
purpose of the council on the Princes
Island Is not to enforce upon the gath
erng any particular line OF policy, but
simply to encourage the participants to
get together themselves on any basis
that may promise the restoration OF in
ternal order and proper relations with
the world.
Question of Debt Recognition.
This meets with the suggestion from
| certain quarters to-day that the allied
and American delegates to that confer
ence should be charged not 10 Insist upon
Russias recognition OF her foreign debt,
which was repud!ated by the Bolshevlki,
or 10 place any obligation upon the Rus
slams that would threaten to negative
efforts 10 obtain harmony and peace.
While some of the allied Powers would
like to impose recognition of various OBJ
legations upon the Russians. It IL made
| clear that so far as the American and
British Views are concerned such is not
the case.
President Wilson's plan for dealing
with the Russian problem includes the
unconditional recognition OF the revo-
luton" by the representatives. of the "
soc!ated Powers. according to the Pete
Purtsisr, which declares its information
comes from IAN especially authorized
source" OF this recognition It's infor-
mant says:
This must be construed as implying
recognition OF all the consequences OF
the Russian revolution as far as the for
mer Government OF the Car is con-
cerned, but In no wise as approval Of
the Bolshevik policies"
Advantage Seen in Farley.
The press continues 10 display the
keenest interest IN the Russian problem.
! Although former Foreign Minister Sazo-
! non and Prince I.voff, the former Pre-
mier. declare they are firmly decided TO
have nothing whatever TO do with the
Bolsheviki, the Mdtin declares that nu-
merous Russians at present In Paris, no.
| tably Basile NaRlakof, the Russian Am
| bassador at Paris, are OF the opinion
1 that the anti-Bolshevik Governments
should not give up the advantage Of a
: hearing before the Allies, no matter how
reluctant they may be 10 meet the Boil
shevikl.
| Most OF the newspapers continue 20
| combat the decision Of the conference for
! a meeting OF the representatives of all
/ the Russian Governments. characteriE-
! ing the policy thus decided upon as un-
sound
| Both the Petit Journal and the PETIT
Continued on Second Page.