The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-05-08
NECESSARY FOR
THE SOVIET TO
REPLY CLEARLY
Head of French Delegation Sides
With Belgium as Matter
Of Principle.
! BARTHOU SPEAKS FOR
FRENCH GOVERNMENT
Vital Problem Is That of PrOtec-
tion of Property of For
eigners in Russia.
tsv Thg Associated Presal


GENOA, May 7.---If the Russians do
not give a categorical affirmative
answer to the memorandum that has
been submitted to them France will
not go on with the negotiations and II
no arrangements is made with the
Russians the non aggression pact be-
comes impossible NJ. Barthou, head OF
the French delegation, and vice pre-
mier IN the French cabinet said to the
American and English newspaper corr
respondents today
NJ Barthou himself suggested the
meeting. which proved Of historic
consequence, because the French lead
err emphasized repeatedly that France
had sided with Belgium on question
OF principle. and not because she wish
ed to line herself up against Great
Britain The vital problem was that
Of protection Of property IN Russia of
foreigners, and France believed that
Belgium was nearer the truth in treat
ing this important question.
France. M Barthou declared. de-
sired only TO maintain always her long
time friendship and union with Eng
land.
He continued:
Then let me say what is in my mind
frankly and openly. and do not forget
that my words are cerefully shosen
and that I speak as the chief repre-
sentative OF the French government.
we have been here for q month. Some
newspapers--and / am not referring
especially to American or English
seemed to doubt the sincerity Of
France and seemed also to doubt the
sentiments with which we came to
Genoa But we have elaborated in
every possible way France gave proof
Of her good viii and loyalty and con-
tinually made concessions so that the
conference could go on.
cat the outset we had semi official
conversations with the Russians at
Mr.. Lloyd Georges villa and my at
titude was approved by the French
government. Then came the sensational
disclosure of the Russo German sep
arate treaty You know how every
body felt about that.
III France. as alleged by some, pos
sessed secret or sinister intentions, that
was her opportunity to wreck the con-
ference While we were sitting unof-
ficially with the Russian delegations
and meeting them officially around the
ables Of the commission on Russian
affairs we were struck in the back
Had we left the conference then and
there had we wrecked II. / believe
there are few people in the United
states or England who would have
biame6~us. Yet, despite the blow from
behind. we continued Loyalty with the
work. Nothing could have better
shown our good intentions"
The French foreign minister then
traced the events OF the past week and
explained how the question OF the pre-
war debts as satisfactorily settled by
the memorandum of the powers to
Russia and how the problem OF the war
debts also was arranged Mr.. Lloyd
George had given his consent provided
an agreement were reached on the
question OF private property
Belgium never liked our treatment OF
this problem IN the memorandum con-
tlnued M. Barthou. II had II amended
so that II conformed more with the
Cannes resolutions. Then I went to Paris
and found great excitement there among
the public, and our parliamentary COM
missions were united IN holding that Bel
GUMS objection was justified, because
even the amended text was not categor-
zeal enough on the question OF foreign
property. was instructed to support
Belgiums cause, but that does not mean
that we chosen from among our friends
We have taken sides merely on the ques-
tion OF principle. There is no suggestion
on preference as concerns England or Bel
GUM"
That NJ. Barthou seemed to believe that
the present impasse possessed great po-
litical importance was evident from the
fervor with which he entered upon
eulogy OF both England and Belgium for
what they had accomplished in the great
war
Eve 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"
he said. yet we have not sided against
England. Three men may be good
friends. yet disagree on one point. That
does not mean that they cannot follow
the same path together and maintain
friendship and union"
The minister then turned TO the future
saying
II you asked what Is coming. must
say I do not know. It Is possible. even
probable, that Russia by refusing to
agree 70 the memorandum will unite us
again. It is necessary for the Russians
10 reply clearly. Yes or no. The terms
tcontlnued on Page Two)