Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-05-09
FRANCE, SUPPORTING
BELGIUM, THREATENS
TO DISRUPT FARLEY
Lloyd George and Barthou
Confer at Length but Fu-
tiIeIy Over New Crisis in
Genoa Conference

GENOA, May Shy the Asso-
ciated Press. )-France will stand
with Belgiu min opposing that part
of the allies memorandum to Rus
STA dealing with the property in
Russia of foreign owners. In conse-
quence of this decision, which was
communicated to Premier Lloyd
George by M. Barthou, head of the
French delegation Saturday an
other crisis has arisen which endan-
gers the conferences and may or
may not be settled before the British
prime minister returns to London
If the views of Belgium with re-
spect to this article can be met
and it is considered possible that
the Belgians may modify their de
mands to some degree-France will
place no obstacle in the way of
settlement. The Russians, however
are still to be heard from. Their
reply will probably be delivered
within two or three days, and it is
known definitely that they will pre-
sent numerous objections to the
conditions set forth by the allied
powers.
Prime Minister Lloyd George and
Vice Premier Barthou held a confer
ence at 5 o'clock this afternoon, aft
err which it was stated that their
meeting offered no relief of the
strained sits alton Cf the economic
conference. Nothing will be decided
definit4,y. however, it was stated,
pending Russias reply to the allied
memorandum.
M. Barthou stated that France
was firm in her decision to stand by
Belgium and that he had been in
structed in Paris to withhold French
approval of the Russian memoran-
dunn until Belgium had agreed to
article formerly article g. relat'
ing to the restitution of private
property to former foreign owners.
Farley JeOpardized
While the head of the French dele
cation gave assurances that France
wanted the conference at Genoa to
succeed, belief was expressed in con-
ference circles this evening that his
firm position concerning the prop
erty question was likely to place the
conference in Jeopardy.
Mr.. Lloyd George said after the
meeting that the Russian reply must
be received before it was possible to
take any further steps to meet the
Belgian requirements. There will
be no conference meetings of any
sort tomorrow
1t was still uncertain this even
ing whether the Russian reply would
be given Monday or not, although it
is expected.
Mr.. Lloyd George and M. Bar
thou also discussed the proposed
meeting of the powers signatory to
the treaty of Versailles to discuss
German PREPARATIONS that are due
May 81. The French chief delegate
stated that France was not prepar-
ed to discuss Preparations until after
May 81, when it will be known
whether the Germans will default in
payments due on that date.
This attitude, it is generally be.
lieved, is indicative of Frances in
tention to handle reparation matters
alone, as was indicated by Premier
Poncaire in his recent address at
Barbecue.
The official French narrative of
today's happenings not only shows
that the conference is endangered,
but indicates distant diverg
ence of views between France and
England, tending to emphasize the
differences that have frequently arts
en- between them during the confer
ence.
The British premier, in his meet
ing with M. Barthou, refused to
agree to any further modification or
the memorandum, which already is
in the hands of the Russian delega-
ton.