South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-05-12
S0VIETS' REPLY
TO ALLIES HELD
TO BE EVASIVE
Answer, COnciliatory in Tone,
Considered Basis for Fur
ther Negotiations.
FRANCE DISAPPOINTED
Future of Conference Uncer.
tain Until French Receive
Instructions.
By Associated Press.

BT Aasoclafed Press.
GENOA. May 11.-Russia's reply
10 the allied memorandum. which
was presented Thursday TO Signor
Echanzer. president OF the economic
tonference. is regarded as concllia-
story. At least II is considered a
basis for further negotiations
It's suggestion that all tangled
Financial problems be submitted to
q mixed committee OF experts named
ny the Genoa conference provided
IA means Of escape from the super
fheated atmosphere which appears
no be unfavorable for the settlement
aof the myriad questions arising from
rhe Russian situation.
England regards the reply as
moderately concihatory and so does
1taly. The Italian foreign minister
5nas been working hard to prevent
g. break which seemed imminent
rhrough the opposition Of France
and belgium TO the settlement Of the
property question which Great Bril-
itain and the lesser powers will ap-
prove.
France Disappointed.
France expresses great disappoint-
lsment at the reply and Belgium is
Efar from satisfied NJ Barthou, head
tof the French delegation. declared
after an examination OF the text thai
the reply did not get anywhere and
was not really an answer TO the al
lied proposals. Consequently it viii
not be certain until after he was
conferred with Paris whether the
proposals viii be accepted by the
Wrench as a basis for continuation
lof the discussion.
In the meantime the future OF
fhe conference IS uncertain. some
DELEGATIONS believe that It will close
precipitately or perhaps it would be
truer 20 say that they hope il will.
other delegates predict It will las;
six weeks longer and go into the
Russian financial tangle IN detail.
The latter seemed to be in the major
atty and indications tonight are that
uhe conference may be prolonged in
definitely.
seek some Agreement.
The Russians and all other dele
cations are saying many things for
home consumption which II is be-
Heved they do not really mean and
underneath there IS undoubtedly
general desire 20 reach some agree
ment which will make Europe more
peaceful The Russians have ap-
pealed 10 Premier Lloyd George
and the peace craving populations
or the world in their support OF the
non aggression pact and their allu-
siOns 10 disarmament.
on the other hand they refuse TO
accept the allied proposals for the
treatment OF nationahzed property
and reject their proposed mixed ar
bitration committee TO pass on
claims or foreigners against the So
Wet government.
In other words the Russians have
sustained the basic principle OF
communism and desire 20 have fur
ther discussions on naturalization,
insisting that the bolshevik govern
ment may maintain any social sys-
TEN and any system or property
holding which Il desires and cannot
consent TO anything which may be
7
ereignty.
France. Poland. Czecho-Slovakia
and some smaller states would like
10 have the conference adjourned
and reconvened later. They viii
undoubtedly take advantage OF the
Russian proposal for the reference
OF financial problems TO a mixed
committee 20 suggest this commit
tee report later 20 another confer
ence. Mr.. Lloyd George. however.
Is firmly against adjournment with
out some settlement OF the Rus
sian problem.
NJ Benes wanted 20 have a con-
ference called az Prague. but has re-
celved little announcement. Mr..
LLOYD George and his supporters
have apparently regarded all ef-
forts al postponement as part Of
the French plan 20 delay any set
tlenent OF the Russian problem
which did not meet with their ap-
r~0EaI