The Washington herald., 1922-04-11

| said would have far reaching effects
for better or for worse upon the
destiny of the whole world
we meet on equal terms provided
we accept equal conditions. We are
not here as allied and enemy states
neither as belligerents or neutrals.
We do not come together as mon
archists, republicans or soviet sup
porters. We are representatives of
Europe seeking the best method of
restoring our shattered prosperity
so each may build up in its own
way, better condition for its peo-
pie than the world has yet en-
joyed."
Europe Is Exhausted.
Europe, is exhausted" Lloyd
George declared later. Its loss of
blood and treasure is staggering.
Under the colossal burden of debt
and reparations, the pulse of COM
merce is beating feebly and wildly.
Legitimate commerce, trade and in
dustry are disorganized and de-
pressed. There is unemployment in
the West and in the East there is
pestilence and famine. Unless there
be a common effort l see indications
not merely that il will continue,
| but that IL will even become deeper
Ba-thou. in noncommittal speech.
praised Lloyd Georges efforts at
Cannes and assured him of French
supper. II France favored a delay
| in the conference, IT was only to
make greater preparation for 1t. he
said, referring to the postponement
made last month.
The world is tired of words and
we, are here for action not merely
to look on" he said. There is no
Disgusting the obstacles in our way.
Europe is covered with ruins and
| it would be madness to think that
with one stroke OF a magic wand
we can set UP on the ruins an en-
| ,chanted castle OF reconstruction"
says France Abhors War.
But. he admitted. it would be
still worse to sit with folded arms
| and do nothing. France. Barthou
DECLARED. was not inspired by ma
tional egotism. She makes no
claims to hegemony. The war cost
her SO much money that she abhors
war"
On the other hand, those French
such a terrible price. the French
minister declared. would be no OBJ
stacle to the work of the conference.
The Cannes agreement put these
rights behind the decision here as
well as all rights of the allies he
said. Genoa Is not and cannot he
a court of appeal before which the
existing treaties can be brought up.
judged and revised"
Regarding the financial and eco
nomic questions under discussion.
he agreed that the debate should be
perfectly free and that France
would not take any negative stand.
We shall say what we consider
just. necessary and possible" he
concluded. The French delegation
will never pronounce a word of
hate and desires the humiliation OF
of day for we have nothing to con-
ceal either as to our ideals o. our
plans"
r.. Clash ON Committees.
Lloyd George and Barthou again
clashed over the representation on
committees that should be allowed
Germany and Russia. Barthou Op-
posed admitting them on an equal
basis. and drew the caustic retori
from Lloyd George that 1--WE cant
keep delegates representing 200,-
100000 waiting on the doorstep
while we arrange decisions and dc
tate after the fashion of the su-
preme council"
He maintained there was no
ground for distinction as long
as Russia and Germany accepted
the Cannes principles.
An, agreement was reached for
the Russian committee which prob
ably will serve as a formula for
organizing other committees. It
provided that the committee shoulG
be composed of the five conveniny
powers; Germany, Russia, and four
elected from other nations-mak-
ing total of eleven. with the men,
bers of the supreme council hay.
ing a plurality of one vote.
. In insisting throughout that the
conference must proceed on the
new principle of equality, Lloyd
George. also emphasized that, while
the agenda barred any attempt TO
readjnst reparations, 1t would b,
impossible to exclude all reference
to the question, as it was inter
woven with the whole economic sit
uation. The French demurred a.
this view, and are expected to bring
up the point later.