Evening star., 1922-07-20
ments to do the same in regard I,
American property in Russia.
Opposed to French Pact.


The Russians have said that they
were ready to give certain properties
as concessions, regardless of their
former ownership. Prime Minister
Lloyd George has said that if The
Hague conference fails, it will be
impossible to prevent British citizens
from accepting whatever concessions
they like in Russia The British
delegates. consequently. are opposed
70 the pact proposed by the French.
They declare that it involves a po-
lftical question and for that reason
is not to be discussed at this con-
ference.
Trap Believed Found.
The outcome of today's meeting in
this respect is uncertain. In any
case the delegates seem determined
to leave on Friday. The sudden end
Ing of the conference was entirely
unexpected. Sir Lloyd Greame. head
ct the British delegation. dined pri.
Nately with Litvinoff and Krassin of
the soviet delegation Tuesday even
Ing and agreed to the texts to be pre-
sented al Wednesdays meeting. Fol-
lowing this agreement Litvinoff made
skillfully conciliatory speech pro-
posing. in view of the refusal Of the
western nations to extend credits TO
Russia. to recommend to Moscow that
the soviet government should. never
theless. recognize Russia's pre-war
debts and pledge compensa ton for
foreign-owned property that. had been
damaged or natfonaliZed. thus fulfill
ing Russia's obligations in the west
ern sense of the word He even prom
fsed yes or no reply from Moscow
within from four to eight days.
Trap Believed Found.
of he
ready to accept this proposal. At the
noon recess. however, the standing
orders committee thought it discov-
cred a trap in the Russian terms
which seemed to say that if. within
two years. foreigners had not con-
cluded individual agreements with
the soviet government they would
lose all their rights
Litvinof was again summoned and
admitted that this Interpretation was
correct. Nevertheless. in Dutch and
British opinion. the point was still,
negotiable. But the French and the
Belgians. and even the Italians who
are resentfu because the Russians
failed to ratify their separate agree
ment with Italy. insisted that the
conference must end Immediately. The
British resisted for time, but finally
surrendered.
Many conversations followed among
the delegates, several of whom were
anxious to give the Russians a
chance to communicate with Moscow
All felt. however, that it was more
important to maintain a united front
than to pin hopes on the possibility
of definite agreement with the Rus.
Sians.
Negotiations Abruptly Closed.
Consequently the non-Russian COM
mission adopted resolution to the
effect that the enunciation of its rec
ognition of the pre-war debts and
the principle of compensation for
confiscated property by the Moscow
government would go far toward re-
storing the confidence necessary to
western cooperation in the recon-
struction of Russia Thereupon ne
gotiation with the Russians was ah-
ruptly closed.
Apparently the French were re-
sponsible for the break. They seem
practically to have delivered an ulti-
matum in the standing orders COM
mittee. The British surrendered
to the French because in view Of the
coming negotiations on the question
of German reparations they desire to
humor them.
why tN6 FTeHCH insisted on Ine
break Is a mystery. To isolate the
Russians anew is to throw them into
Germany's arms at the very moment
when difficult negotiations with Ger
many are about to be opened In Lon
don or Paris. The situation was that
the Russians had promised the Brit
ish to recommend to Moscow the un-
conditional recognition of Russia's
international obligations. but in view
Of the break in the conference 1t Is
now more than ever uncertain what
Moscow will do. If Moscow should
refuse. the situation would be worse
than that which followed the Genoa
conference. for the Russians would
be Isolated, ana hence a greater dan
ger to their western neighbors.
May Begin Experiment.
II Moscow accepts then the great
experiment will begin. The nationals
of all countries may open negotiations
directly with the soviet Govef1Aen&