New-York tribune., 1919-01-25
New York Tribune
Special Gable Service

Ner Ork Irtbune
Special Gable Service
Copyright. 1919 New York Tribune Inc)
PARIS, Jan. 24-The decision Of the
/ peace conference for solution Of the
Russian problem has had an extremely
bad reception by the Paris press. With
! the exception of the Socialist journals,
the newspapers are united in disap-
proval OF the conference proposal.
The conservative "Echc de Paris"
roundly characteriZas the proposition
as "insane"; the "Gaulois" speaks of
1t as "perllous"; "Le Journal" as "an
annoying action; the action Fran
caise," a; "ridiculous"; "Oeuvre," as
Somewhat strange" and "Le Matin,"
as "a great and bold idea of which the
practicability remains to be seem"
Figaro" over the signature of its
editor, Alfred Capus, an academician,
declines to regard the decision as a
solution Of the problem.
"Humanite," the official organ of the
Socialist party, favors recognition with
out reserve Of the Russian revolution
and asserts:
socialists and democrats of the
whole world will read President Will
sons proposal with the profourdest
JOY"
Patriotic Socialists Approve
La France Libre," organ of the So
clalists, led by Albert Thomas, offers
unreserved approval of the proposal.
"hlch 1t regards as marking complete
change IN the Russian policy hitherto
followed by the Allies. and emphasized
the tact that while Bolshevsm is
grotesque caricature of socialism, there
is a whole series of governments in
Russia whose opinions should be gath
cred
Reading between the lines, it is evil
dent that French opinion is bitterly dis
appointed at the unexpected step taken
py the peace conference, which lie
Matin" characterizes as "a vertable
coup de theatre"
One reason for this disappointment
probably is the somewhat chilly recep-
ton given by all the rest of the Allies
to French proposals in reference to the
future of Constantinople. Further, as
IS evident from many of the comments
published this morning. France is very
much inclined to regard herself as not
only having closer acquaintance than
any other nation with the real situa-
ton IN Russia, but as also entitled to
nave an important, if not the decisive.
voice in deciding the attitude to be
taken toward that country by the AL
lies, in view Of the enormous amount
OF money she lent Russia during the
last twenty years.
Savings Went to Russia
1t is important always to keep this
latter factor in view when considering
the relation of France to Russia, and
for this special reason, as the many
miillards lent to Russia by France rep
resent not speculative investments by
wealthy brokers and capitalists, but to
very large 'extent indeed the hard
earned savings of the French work
ing and lower middle classes. who for
many years have been accustomed to
buy foreign government bonds, cs-
peclaliy Russian, to an extent un-
dreamed of elsewhere
For Russia to be set on her feet
again, therefore, is vital question for
the whole mass of the French people,
who realize acutely that so long as the
present state of things in Russia con-
tinues the bonds they have bought
with money painfully scraped together,
sous by sous, will remain merely sterile
pieces of paper.
But a much stronger influence than
the purely financial question here at
present SO far as Russia is concerned
IS the very real fear of the spread Of
Bols shevism westward. On this subject
all classes in France are frankly ner-
vous. For this reason the declaration
OF Foreign Minister Pichon in the
Chamber, December 29, and in his note
to the other Allied powers, January S.
to the effect that there can be no com.
promise with Bolshevism had the en-
tire support of the French public. with
the exception of the Socialists.
Ihe wilson proposition for a confer
ence with the representatives of the
bolsheviki and other Russian factions.
therefore, has fallen on French opinion
with the effect of douche of icewater.
Action Called Recognition
Tins, 1t is pointed out by several
newspapers, will be all for the benefit
OF the Bolshevik leaders, whose gov
eernment the Allies have hitherto re-
FUSED to recognize, and will give them
a status both in Russia and abroad
they never have been able to acquire.
For this and other reasons which
easily suggest themselves opinion here
IS strongly inclined to the belief that
the bolshevlki will jump at the oppor-
tunity to meet the Allies at the pro-
posed conference. Whether represent
atives of the Omsk and other govern
ments now engaged in a death struggle
with the Bolsheviki will consent to
meet them, it is believed is much less
likely.
These other governments, it is point
ed out, consider the Bolsheviki as ban
dts and outlaws, and the language Of
Admiral kolchak, head of the most i'm
portant of these governments, indicates
that he will refuse to countenance