New-York tribune., 1922-02-18
Red Bait Fails
To Win France
AS Genoa Anv
Efforts to Shatter Proposed
Allied German Plan for
Exploitation of Russia
Futile, Berlin Announces
Soviet Threat Discounted
Teutons Insist Moscow Will
Accept Any Terms to OBJ
tain Foreign Assistance
By Joseph Shaplcn
z, r,~cl,ss 20 The Tribune

fc'on,--igbt. 1929. New York Tribune, Incl
BERLIN. Feb. 17.-Carl Radek, Rus
sian Bolshcvik propaganda, has failed
- tho effort he has been making to
reach an understanding with Franco
before the nations gather at the Genoa
economic conference. Under cover OF
. smoke screen of publicity setting
sorth Russia's desire to come to some
,creement with France that might go
50 far as revival of the old Franco
Russisn alliance, Radek has in reality
heen pushing the plan of the Moscow
rovernment to disrupt the proposed
Allied German plan for exploitation of
Russia after a consortium has been
srrsnged for Germany on her war bill
payments.
The Soviet government fears the
nroposcd Allied German combination
and the power it would WELD in Russia
ano would rather deal separately with
the European powers. If France could
have been won over to an understand
ing, the Bolshcviki hoped that the in
ternational exploitation scheme could
be broken up.
Uses American Paper as Medium
Rsdck's arrival in Berlin ten days
ago therefore, had as its purpose the
wcaning OF France away from the idea
Of an international combine at Rus,
sias expense. Fearing inability to
launch propaganda successfully in the
conservative French press and finding
i inadvsable to use the Communist
press in Paris for this purpose. Radek
decided to gain the ear OF the French
Foreign Office by publishing an inter
view in AN American newspaper in
Paris containing vciled proposals Of
Russo-French understanding. This in
.evvew was repeated subsequently, to
thc Berlin CORES pondent of the Paris
"Matin.' Up to this point Radck was
.nat swept the continent. and it was
generally realized that Franco Rus
sian pact, reached in the face of the
British idea for an international COM
b;ne. would not only smash that scheme
~ would drive a sharp wedge between
France and England and leave Russia
zee al the Genoa conference 70 fix her
9wn terms for the foreign exploitation
OF Russian resources.
The Tribune correspondent learns
euthoritatvely that the reports Of
any kind of Franco Russian under
landing arc absolutely without foun-
'.ation. and that the mass Of smoke let
oO@c b. Radek is just smoke.
German official circles are not wor-
ricd By the Radek reports. On the
ee7traly they are very busy working
o't plans for great international
-, Tor the exploitation OF Russia.
I.'s Viii be put up to the Holsheviki
1t Genoa WITH a virtual declaration of
rahc it or leave it. German diplomats
-ad hnsncicrs believe that the world
10 700 poor IN capital and materials for
one country to 20 alone in Russia.
Declare Moscow Is Bluffinc
On the other hand. Germans who are
Se I Informed on the economic situa-
ton IN Russia disregard the threats
,eirg made b. the Moscow press that
i,uss's will not enter the Genoa con-
ference If the European powers COM
plne to exploit Russia on conditions
at the Kremlin. These
Germans know that the Soviet govern
men; is desperately in need Of foreign
capital and assistance and viii agrec
to almost any terms to obtain these
essentials. So far as Franco is con-
cerned, assuming that she might be
willing 20 ACCEPT Moscow's bait under
certain conditions. it is not believed
.hat such ar understanding would be
productive of practical results because
France is lea st in q position. Of all the
blg European countries, TO give Russia
the assistance she needs. and Frances
acceptance of Soviet understanding
would be shattered against TIE dissp-
prova. OF other European countries.