The New York herald., 1922-02-04
Sends Note to Allies to
Bring About United
Policy at Farley.
LEAGUE TO CARRY 1T OUT
Thinks 1t Should Officially
Take Part and Enforce
the Decisions.
by LAURENCE HILLS.


New York Herald Bureau,
Paris, Feb. 3.
A further muddling of the prepara-
tions for the Genoa conference was in
dicated to-day when Premier Poincare
appeared before the Foreign Affairs
Committee of the Senate and declared
that he would not go to Genoa unless
the agenda was clearly defined and con-
ditions firmly laid down. He pointed
out, for example, that the invitation
to the Soviet Government did not stip-
ulate that it must accept the condi-
tions laid down before being admitted
to the conference. Instead, it was only
assumed that the acceptance of the
Soviet Government would signify
agreement to the conditions. That
point, he said, must be clearly brought
out.
M. Poincare, insisting upon the
maintenance Of the powers of the
League Of Nations and the Repara-
tions Commission, asserted that there
is tendency on the part Of the Brit
ish to suppress the league, where
France can always count on a ma
jority at least as far as her security
is concerned in order to transfer the
leagues powers to a conference where
France would find her rights subject
to constant discussion.
Note Sent to Powers.
vrtt-.
on the Genoa program were dispatched
to-day in the form of an aide memoire
to the allied Governments. 1t will form
the basis of conversations which France
hopes Will bring about a unified allied
policy in Genoa in the face of the ma
tions which the allies will meet there.
lE this note France comes out as the
avowed champion of the League of Ma
uons, sustaining, among other things
the thesis of the league supporters that
1t should participate in the Genoa meet
ing and that nothing should be done
there which will in any way derogate
its authority as the chief existing agency
for international effort, both in economic
and political fields.
1t is understood to be the view of the
Poincare Government that not only
should the league officially participate
at Genoa. but should do so as the agency
entrusted with the operation of any gen
eral reconstruction plan evolved in
Genoa
This sudden enthusiasm on the part
of the French Government for the league
is significantly coincident with reports
printed here as coming from England to
the effect that Premier Lloyd George, in
fluenced by the views of President Har-
ding and Secretary Hughes expressed
during the Washington conference, is
now planning to use the Genoa confer
ence to set up a new organization for
Europe, which would include Germany
and Russia.
These reports have apparently been
received with credence in the French
Foreign Office and have been responsible
for the launching of a campaign In the
French press in favor of the present
league as the bulwark of the Versailles
Treaty, which must not be set aside
but on the contrary must be reinforced
in Genoa as the only proper agency to
exact guarantees from Russia and the
one time enemy countries of those obli-
cations which are to be assumed there.
Leagues Future Involved.
The note to-day. therefore. brings
back the league as controversial issue
In Europe, involving the question of its
future. despite the desire of Mr.. Lloyd
George, plainly evidenced in Cannes. to
set 1t aside because the United States
and Russia were hostile to it and might
thereby be debarred from participation
IN Genoa.
The inspiring force behind the French
attitude is Rene Viviani who, with Pre-
mier Poncare and Leon Bourgeois.
President of the Senate, held a two
hours conference with President Mil
lerand to-day on the subject of the
league In It's relation to Genoa. NJ. vivi-
ami returned from the United States in
sisting that an alleged British anti
league plot be scotched.
Frances championship OF the league
exactly comedies with the views OF Mr..
Lloyd Georges political enemies-men
like Viscount Grey--a fact which may
assume great significance.
It is upon the league question that
the greatest divergence Is likely TO arise
between France Ind England regarding
Genoa. as outside this question the
French note merely draws attention TO
the vagueness and contradictions in the
Cannes program for the Genoa confer
ence especially that the Cannes resolu-
tions we're against interference with
Russia's domestic affairs, and yet guar
antees were demanded of the Soviet
Government for the protection OF pri-
vate contracts and property and mat
ters which belonged plainly to the in
terror of Russia.
Regarding the league, the French ar
gument is summed up in the Temps.
which says:
IF the league participates in the
GENOA conference the excellent organi-
zation II possesses will enable that
equality among the nations which we
desire to be realized, giving to each
guarantees of equity and independence
and also efficacy In common enterprise.
Without the league Genoa runs the risk
of beginning In distrust, continuing
amid constant surprises and ending In
discord or bluff"
Some newspapers like the Ecfair
openly accuse Mr. Lloyd George OF try
ing to dscredt the league
The Figaro says the league question
Is vital one. adding: '1n the great
Genoa adventure Mr.. Lloyd George APP
parently has forgotten that this great
democratic institution. of which he Is
the foster parent, still exists and pos
sesses q certain number of powers"
IL IL being stressed in this press cam
paign that the United States apparently
indicates no intention to participate IN
the Genoa meeting and therefore Europe
| need not fear hurting her feelings by
bringing in the league