The New York herald., 1922-04-18
FEAR UNION OF RED
AND GERMAN ARMIES
Berlin Will Use Threat it
France Attempts Force.

Speciul Gable % THE NEw YORK HERALD.
Copyright, 1922, by THE New ionK fieRALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Paris, April IL.
The new Russo German treaty, which
is considered here merely as remodeling
the Brest- Litovsk agreement, which the
civilized world refused to recognize os
valid, was received in Iav.s tonight
with no little. unbelief at first; but when
It was confirmed by official sources IT
was Immediately said In certain circles
lat it furnished fresh proof that the
Soviet Government Is planning to throw
Europe into a state moro tcrribleN than
any yet experienced. France did not
credit early reports that Prime Minister
Lloyd George knew OF the details OF
tie treaty before Il was signed, for
the British Premier's attitude during
the first weeks nessfons was almost
in every instance for the conservation
of the Anglo French entente, and for
forcing the Germans and the Russians
to realize they we're attending the con-
ference in order to collaborate instead
OF defying the more powerful nations
IN the reconstruction of Europe.
The French now are relying upon Mr..
Lloyd George to rush through some sort
OF Anglo-French treaty to offset Ger
Although 1t processes to be merely
an economic accord. the treaty will be
interpreted here as waving a new men,
ace on the. part of Germany should the
Allies try to force the payment OF her
debts under the treaty of Versailles.
France continually has pointed to the
existence OF the Russian army as one
reason why she cannot disarm her land
forces beyond certain limit.
The German intention. as It is seen
here, is to use this same Objectionable
force to frighten the French in the
event reparations demands are not met
by May 81. Instead OF the French army
OF 100000 being available for the col
lection of payments due France under
the Versailles Treaty. 1t now becomes a
question of Russian forces totaling
100000 supporting their German col
leagues In an effort to cvade signed
pledges, for none will suppose for an
instant that the agreement has as its
end merely economic relations.
This movement has been predicted
for several months but we are confident
the Allies will realize 1t not only justifies
the French position ON disarmament and
her insistence upon reparations collec-
tions but that 1t provokes situation
which will be dangerous to the peace OF
the rest of Europe" high French Of
ficial told THE NEW YORK HERALD cor
respondent tonight.
The mancuver also is considere
significant here that the Germans and
the Russians planned it before tho OPEN
Ing of the Genoa conference. According
to information reaching the Quai
d'Orsay. its general lines were defined
during the Soviet delegations stay in
Berlin, Notwithstanding M. Tchit-
cherin's and other Russian delegates
denials at that time that they had ar
ranged any sort of an accord there.
Whether the new menace increases
the danger that the French may with.
draw from the conference still Is un-
certain. but 1t Is considered unlikely for
the present. Louis Barthou, chief OF
tho French delegation. had long tele.
phonic conversation with Premier Poin-
care. wherein he gave the latest details
OF the Russo-German alliance. and 1t is
expected that the remainder of the Cab
met will hold a special session to-mor-
row TO define Frances future course OF
action. Some believe that NJ. Poincarc
VIII decide to spend few days in
Genoa to confer privately with Mr. Lloyd
George, without actually entering the
conference. But the more likely policy
would be to combat by all possible
measures the application OF the Russo
German contract TO the approaching
crisis over the payment OF rcparations.