Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-05-13
french QUIT GENOA
NEGOTIATIONS upon
RUSSIAN PROBLEMS
Conference Tottering as
Position DeadIocks With
British View.
LLOYD GEORGE ALARMED;
SEES HOPE IN HIS TRUCE

Death to Soviet Only Solution Seen
by Japan and Belgium-Little
Entente Fearful.
BY the Associated Press.
GENOA. May 13.-As the result of
the meeting Of the economic con-
ference's subcommission on Russian
affairs today the situation became SO
critical that it seemed doubtful
whether the British and French posi-
tions could be reconciled.
After the adjournment of the meet
ing, which was taken at lis pm,
until o'clock, the British delegation
announced that serious though
friendly" discussion had occurred.
France Can Never Consent.
NJ. Barthou, head of the French dele
cation. declared at the meeting of the
subcommission that France would
never consent to having mixed COM
missions on which the Russians serv-
ed give consideration to Russian
credits. debts and the treatment of
foreign property nationalized in Rus
sia.
Prime Minister Lloyd George in
opening the discussion said the Rus
sian reply was most provoking and
unsatisfactory, characterizing it as
typical of soviet diplomacy, which he
said always introduced such argu-
ments at a time when people were
really trying to do business. He
the document showed the Russian
delegation wished to come to some
arrangement if possible.
Sees Serious Situation.
Everybody. Mr.. Lloyd George re-
marked, had their difficulties with
public opinion at home, and it was
not right for other statesmen to criti-
cize the soviet representatives too
severely. He said he thought the
breaking up of the conference because
of the Russian document would be
serious for Europe and Asia.
NJ Barthou. forwErance, said that
fve weeks Of consideration of the
Russian questions at Genoa had been
that further consideration OF them by
commissions named by the Genoa con-
ference would be useful. He sug-
gested 1t would be better to have the
allied powers, with the neutrals and
possibly the United States. name an
investigating commission without the
Russians, who had shown clearly that
they would only take up the time of
such a commission with propaganda.
Positions Sharply 9t Odds.
This conflict of opinion gave rise to
the serious doubts as to whether the
two positions were susceptible of
reconciliation.
One of the many beneficent results
of the Washington conference has
been duplicated in Genoa. The con-
ference here has got the spokesmen
of the European peoples better ac-
auainted and taught them the real
nature of Europe's problems. Whether
any good will come from this mutual
knowledge depends upon the wisdom
of the statesmen and Europe's ca
pacity for conciliation.
Communion Hard to XIII.
At Washington the United States
and Japan inaugurated what Europe
considers a hopeful era for peace and
cooperation in the Pacific ocean: at
Genoa the powers had to grapple with
far more formida BILE problems than
the friendship Of two states and the
concrete. question of the curtailment
of naval ornaments. Genoa's task
has been to reconcile communism and
conservatism. And communism has
demonstrated that If. it dies at all it
will die hard.
The first battle has been indecisive.
Where collective agreement with
bolshevism has failed for the time
being, there are many who profess
belief that individual agreements
with soviet Russia may succeed, each
country opening a door into Russia
Tfet government. which is clamoring
for gold. Thus the courtship of Rus
sia would be conducted individually.
with the soviet probably happier at
receiving her suitors separately
Lloyd George Alarmed.
While the pessimists are proclaim
ing the Genoa congress dead. and
saying that for decency's sake it
would be given ceremonious burial,
Prime Minister Lloyd George of Great
Britain, alarmed at the possibilities
Of new political crises in Europe, is
striving with the other leaders to
create a binding truce which will
prevent new schisms and put off the
dangers of war.
hoPSS SAld( SuCl1 d truce, "ltE
ths proposed commission of inquiry
into Russia's problems will prove
helpful in maintaining peace in Eu-
rope and bringing about her gradual
economic reconstruction.
Wedges Driven In.
France is willing that the Russians
should sit en- the Russian investiga-
tion commission later. but considers
that 1t would be better to exclude
them for the present, says a French
statement issued as the delegates
were assembling today to discuss
Russia's reply to the allied memo
Tandum. The Russians, the state
menr declares, already have driven
wedges between the powers and
might do the same thing on the pro.
posed commission. Therefore. France
considers 1t desirable to achieve a
complete agreement among the DOW
ers, concerning the attitude to be
adopted toward Russian problems
before inviting soviet Representatives
TO join them
The tendency of France and the lit.
tie entente, the statement adds, ts to
obtain an adjournment Of the confer
ence as soon as possible after set.
tling upon general principles with
Russia and appointing the Russian
commission of inquiry.