South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-05-07
Most Startling Surprise of Genoa Conference Has
Been Russians Ability at Art Of Diplomacy
BY HARRY y. RICKEY
(Speciai Gable 90 Ma Service.
Cnnrri-hf 1870 hN MN


GUVOA. May 8. The biggest
shock % Genoa has not been alone
the spectacular thinEs the Russians
have done-hut what they look Ike
World diplomats here expected 90
see wiId-eyed men with lorE rair
and matted whlskers with knives ln
their teeth and pants ir their boots
And they were shocked ~ ind me
Russians were not freaks az all
When The Russian delegates fret
arrived i1 Genoa there were many
foxes az their expense and dispo-
siuon in some quarters not 90 take
them seriously. NCw needless 90
say. the attitude toward them has
changed entirely From the moment
they announced their treaty with
Germany they heve shown diplo-
matte cIeverress and have proved
their right % be treated ~ least az
equals in ore Of The greatest diplo-
matte games ever PLAYED 'n Europe.
They have occupied the center OF
the stage and the spotlight has never
left them.
Fashionable Raiment
Far from being disheveIed fanat-
ics the Russians I'm appearance rank
well up toward the top % an dele
cations Almost without exception
they are wei dressed and on all
formal occasions their attire Is
strictly proper 10 the last detail. The
propaganda effect OF this has been
very great. for adherence TO con-
ventiog means much in European
Official circles
In total quantity. whiskers among
the Russians are much less than no
many other delegations
The FIVE leaders Of the soviet dele
gation-Tchitcherin Krsssin. Lit
vinon. Joffee and Rakonsky-are an
men OF the highest education. Their
linguistic abilities are amazing All
speak Russian. German. French.
italian and English. and some sew
eraI other languages They not only
speak these languages, but speak
them correctly
Tchitcherin a Bachelor
Tchitcherin's English Is fawless
At the opening session he read his
speech IN Russian. and translated st.
into French then into English and
finally into Italian
The FIVE chief delegates are all
about So and Of distinguished ap-
pearance. Tchitcherin, a nobleman
fin the old regime. was I'm the cars
diplomatic service. He was educated
IN Russia and in Berlin and Paris
and has a doctor of laws degree. He
is one OF the most powerful mem
Sers OF the soviet government. AlOnS
OF the five delegates. Tchitcheril is
not married. He ia above average
height. slightly stopped, wears
closely cropped mustache and i'm
peria1. and looks like a college pro-
fcssor.
Krassin for 25 years has been one
Of the leading electrical engineers in
Europe. He was born I'm Siberia
While a prisoner there for political
activity he helped build the Trans
Siberian railway. He was one Of the
original founders OF the bolshevist
marty in 1903 and has been active IN
81 ever since.
A tail man with a close cut iron
gray beard. Kr5ssin looks as little
like a red as Sac'y Hughes.
Rakonsky's Career.
Rakonsky. one Of the most inter
esting OF the group. was born In
German and French universities. OBJ
tanning q bachelor OF laws degree
from the University OF Paris.
He has been q socialist since he
was Is years old. and has been ex-
PEELED from Bulgaria. Germany and
Russia for socialist activity
He was one OF the leaders OF the
Russian revolution IN 1905 and was
Jailed IN Rumania for bOlshevism in
1917.
He was rescued by IS Russian sol
diers. who took him 70 Russia
where ne became one or the sovie;
leaders.
Now Rakonszy IS president of the
Ukrainian soviet republic. He is
short and stocl1y. with smooth face.
and a keen sense Of humor. He D.
In charge OF soviet propaganda at
Genoa-and he's a past master a.
the job.
Litvinon. college professor
taught many years in the Berlirz
School OF Languages in London. FL
is one o. the most remarkable lir-
gusts IN Europe. speaking practical
~ all languages. He IS OF average
physique and has neither mustachc
nor beard
Jofee IS lawyer Of high stand
Ing. having doctor Of laws degree
from the University Of Munich I'll.
vhiskers are white and IuNuriart
Litvlnof and Jofee are Jews. .at
the other three are not. though there
are several among the subordinate
Of The delegation.
Their ability 20 speak languages
gives the Russians a great advar-
taEe az the Genoa conference. An
other great advantage fs the fact
that. excepting the British they
come better prepared with docu-
ments and figures than the other
decorations They insist on takirg
time 70 answer proposals and ues-
tions. but when they answer they
back the answer Up with such facts
and figures that allied delegates are
dazed some az the facts and fE
ures won't stand analysis. but the
allies are kept busy fnd.0g the
weak spots.
Hardest Workers
The Russians. from Tchi-cher'r .