The New York herald., 1922-07-10
REDS BLOCK HAGUE
BY PROPERTY VIEWS
Evasion of Demand for Return
of Foreign Holdings Is
Serious Menace.

THE HAGUE, July (Associated
Press) The experts conference on
Russian problems has held OH through
a great crisis. but is not yet considered
out Of danger. This danger arises from
the attitude OF the Russian delegation
towards restitution of confiscated prop
erty. Prominent European representa-
tives frankly declared to-day that unless
the Soviets made many concessions from
their intransigeant policy announced
Friday 1t would be quite useless to con-
tinue the conference.
The English delegation remains dog
gedly optimistic. 1t believes that a suit
able compromise will be found on the
vital problem of the property Of for
eigners in Russia. The Italians also
are hopeful. The pessimistic groups
think that the Russians do not care
whether the conference succeeds or col
lapses. as they will hope to make ad-
vantageous separate agreements with
different financial groups and thereby
obtain immediate credits.
"Russia's plan for restitution is not
restitution at ALL" said one pessimistic
delegate to-day. The Bolsheviki have
no Intention to restore property, but
plainly indicate that they will distribute
concessions including appropriated prop
,erty. to the concession hunters who have
the most money. If the former owner
happens to have ample funds to develop
his factories or mines he has good
chance Of getting them back; otherwise,
no.,
That, indeed, is the Bolshevik, de-
cision outlined on Friday by Maxim
Litvinoff. Russla's aggressive chief
delegate, but Leonid Krassine, who
cleverly negotiated a trade agreement
with England. has furnished hope
that a way will be found to reach
a compromise between unacceptable
Bolshevist confscation and the equally
determined European demand for out
and out restoration. "a
Talk May BE for Home People.
There are some indications that the
Russian leaders are talking for COM
while insisting that restitution Is i'm
possible they will in practice consent to
arrangements for virtual restoration;
without seeming to do so. The imme-
diate problem is to find q compromise
which would save the face" of the
Communists and satisfy the demands Of
the western countries, which hold prop
erty rights to be sacred. There isbeing
fought at The Hague a battle between
communism and capitalism of far
reaching and tremendous importance
as relates to the social and economic
system Of the entire world.
The Russians complained again to-
day of the refusal of the non-com-
munistic countries to grant informa-
ton asked in their questionnaire Of thir-
teen points concerning foreign holdings
of the Russian debt. The most signifl-
cant question was the demand for In
formation as to the social situation of
the bondholder. his profession and an
nual revenue. and the general financial
situation of his family. The thirteenth
point insisted upon the presentation of
documentary proof that all questions
were being answered truthfully.
The non-Russian delegates refused
compliance. not only because they con-
sidered the questions irrelevant, IL not
impertinent, but also because to answer
them would necessitate a stupendous
international inquiry. with months of
labor and great expense.
Questions Cause AlaPm.
Some Of the questions created consid-
erable alarm, as Indicating a desire on
the part OF the Russian delegation to
apply communistic theories in all their
dealings in foreign lands. One delega-
ton leader said to-day. The Western
world must take its stand here on in
alienabie rights in respect to property,
we cannot drift into collectivism, or
seem to favor 1t. If we cannot reach
an accord at Tho Hague, we can GER
tainly prepare a common report to our
Governments calculated to Advance the
settlement OF the Russian situation. -
Russia must be reopened In the In
terest Of everybody. 1t may require
another conference to clear things up.
but we hope to accomplish much here.
to build bridge between Russia and
the outside world