The New York herald., 1922-05-08

say that Genoa is 2 charming city
but we all have other obligations and
other duties which cal lus elsewhere.
The French leader emphasized re-
peabody that France had sided With
Belgium ON a question of principle
and not because she wished to line
herself up against Great Britain. The
vital problem was that of protection
of the property in Russia of for
eigners, and France believed that Bel
sium was nearer the truth in treat
ing this important question. France,
Nj. Barthou declared, desired only TO
maintain always her long time friend
ship and union with England
Makes French Position Clear.
M Barthou's initial request that
questions be put to him on the status
of the conference met with no re-
sponse. which brought the pleasantly
Gentlemen, your silence is not help
full" He continued:
Then let me say what is in my
mind frankly and openly, and do not
forget that my words are carefully
chosen and that. i speak as the chief
representative of the French Govern
ment. We have been here month.
Some newspapers--and l am not re-
ferring especially to American or
Engiish-seemed to doubt the SINGER
ity Of France and seemed also TO doubt
the sentiments with which we came to
Genoa But we have collaborated In
every possible way. France gave proof
L. Y n
tinually made concessions so that the
conference could go on.
"At the outset we had semi-official
conversations with the Russians at
Mr.. Lloyd Georges villa, and my at
titudef was approved by the French
Government. Then came the sensa-
tional disclosure of the Russo-Ger-
man separate treaty. You know how
everybody felt about that.
Calls Treaty BLOW in the Back.
eIf France, as alleged by some. pos
sessed secret or sinister intentions,
that was her opportunity to wreck
the conference While we We're sit
ting unofficially with the Russian
delegates and meeting them officially
around the tables of the Commission
on Russian Affairs we were struck in
the back Had we left the conference
then and there, had we wrecked it, l
believe there are few people in the
United States or England who would
have blamed us. Yet. despite this
blow from behind. we continued
Loyalty with the work. Nothing could
have better shown our good inten-
tfons."
The French Foreign Minister then
traced the events Of the last week and
explained how the question of the pre-
war debts was satisfactorily settled
by the memorandum OF the Powers to
Russia and how the. problem of the
Lloyd George had given his consent
provided an agreement were reached
on the question OF private property.
Belgium never liked our trea tment OF
this problem in the memorandum, con-
tinued Nj. Barthou. Il had IL amended
80 that it confornled more with the
Cannes resolutions Then I went to
Paris and found great excitement there
among the public, and our parliamentary
commissions were united In holding that
Belgiums objection was justified be-
cause even the amended text was not
categorical enough on the question OF
foreign property.
II was instructed to support f,elgium's
cause, but that does not mean that we
have chosen from among our friends.
We have taken sides merely or the ques-
tion of principle There is no suggestion
OF preference as concerns England or
Belgium"
N ri hn1
that the present irnpasse POSSESSED great
political Importance was evident from
tsie fervor with which ne entered upon
a eulogy of both England AMI Belgium
for what they had accomplished in the
great war. 8
.sThroughout the entire world" he
said with emotion mot one person will
fail to render homage to Belgium for
what she did for civilization. ord Eng
land and the United States achieved the
greatest revolution in history When they
imposed upon themselves compulsory
military service. England by permitting
her troops to serve under the command
OF French General showed her great
ness.
I'VE love England and Belgium
equally. but believing that Belgium is
nearer the truth on the vital problem of
private property We have sided with
Belgium. Yet we have not sided against
England. Three men may be good
friends yet disagree on one point. That
does not mean that they canrot follow
the same path together and maintain
friendship and union"
italy May Make Treaty.
The Italian Foreign Minister, signor
Schanzer, is devoting all his activities
10 maintaining a united front among the
Allies and to finding a formula which
will satisfy the Belgians and allow them
70 give their adherence to tile Russian
memorandum. thus rendering unneces-
sary any reservation on the part OF
France.
IL, despite Signor Schanzer's efforts,
this united front is impossible, the sug-
gestion is gaining ground that any coun-
try will be free to conclude separate ac-
cords with Russia. as Germany did at
Rapallo. 1t Is even asserted that
Czecho- Slovaisia has already negotiated
IN economic accord with Russia which
may be signed at any moment
The opinion prevails in the Italian
delegation that should q collective agree
rnent with Russia be impossible. Italy
ought to make peace with the Soviets
with the least possible delay. as 1t is
believed England would do.
There Is an impression among the
delegates that as soon as others begin
TO make separate treaties with Russia,
France and Belgium would follow suit.
because otherwise they would find them
selves completely cut out of the Russian
nnarket--a state OF affairs entirely TO
the advantage OF the other Powers and