Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-05-10
THE sNAG AT GENOA.

@One of the most interesting summaries OF the
conditions at Genoa is that written by ] I: Garvin,
editor of the London Observer, and published sim
ultaneously on both sides of the ocean.
1t has been pointed out in current dispatches
from Genoa that the sticking point which has been
reached in the negotiations is the disposition of
property interests in Russia. the position taken by
Lloyd George, and supported by Italy and many of
the smaller European nations being opposed by
Belgium which has the support of France. When
thesSoviet regime succeeded that Of the PROVISIONAL
revolutionary government in Russia the con1mun-
istie doctrine of naturalization of property was at
once Proclaimed and put into effect. Foreigners
had large interests in Russia, many of them of long
standing. These interests were distributed among
properties of almost every kind, mining corccs'
sions, factories, banks. mercantile establishments,
etc. This property was all conhscated.
In the course of the Genoa negotiations a pro-
gram of restitution and compensation was proposed,
and the proposals formulated were submitted to the
Russian delegates: At the last moment Belgium
refused to accept, and she was supported in her re-
fusal#by France. The objection raised by the Bel
gian authorities is that the memorandum does not
insist sufficiently on the restoration to its former
owners OF the identical property confiscated where
such restoration is possible. In ,substance the Rus
slams are given considerable latitude in deciding
whether the particular properties shall be returned;
tor compensation shall be given in lieu Of it. Bel
gian capitalists, who constitute a powerful factor in
Belgian government, have had large investments in
Russia, and the Belgian objection is offered in their
behalf.
Mr.. Garvin attributes the Belgian stand to
French influence, and the attitude of France is at
tributed to the alleged determination of Premier
8Poii1care to wreck the Genoa conference, to which
he has always been opposed. 1t is said that all the
proceedings at Genoa have been hampered BY the
9reflsaltof Poincare to attend in person, coupled
with his i%nsistcnce that the French representatives
shall exercise no independent powers of any kind,
but must receive their orders on every subject d-
rect from Paris. This, it is pointed out, places
Paris IN the position Of possessing the power of.
veto over everything proposed at Genoa. 4
According to the story told by, Mr.. Garvin,
Barthou, the head of the French delegation at Ge-1
noa,Swas recalled to- Paris for conference and in
structions. As soon as he was out of Genoa Brus-
sells notified the conference of its inability to accept
the Russian memorandum and this, declares Mr..
sGaryis, was done under telephone Instructions
from Paris.
Ihe theory of Mr.. Garying is that Poineare. de-
stefmined TO wreck the conference, has insisted on
cnuditions which he knewStfe Russians would not
srcepk, the anticipated result being that the confer
SpceWould adjourn without having accomplished,
anything toward establishing ! United European
pclSGy. Poincsfess antagonism 70 the conference is
Aplalned o. The theo that under tie existing NM
ftted European conditions tie French army ii lie
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