New-York tribune., 1922-06-18
Paris Firmly Insists That
Commission Must Visit
Russia Before Any Con-
ccssions Shall Be Made
Attitude Promises Split
Reds Expected to Refuse to
Comply When Delegates
Reach Hague on June 20
By Wilbur Forrest
Special Cabi, ~ The Trfbuzs

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THE HAGUE. Holland. June IL
France apparently is planning TO de-
mand an independent investigation of
conditions in Russia by an Allied com
mission before any final agreement Is
reached a. the Hague conference be
tween the Bolsheviki and the Western
powers. A. Russia is almost certain
TO reject this demand. provided France
succeeds in getting all the Western
powers 70 indorse Il, the fear was ex-
pressed in some quarters to-day that
all would not 70 well when the Mos
COW delegates arrived az The Hague on
June 26.
The French Commission OF study
that is taking part in the preliminary
deliberations ~ international experts
at The Hague this week received a
telegram from Premier Poincare to-
day that might indicate that at hir
meeting with Lloyd George Monday
the French Prime Minister planned 10
lay down the conditions on which his
country would take part in the Hague
MNAAWFAAANVNtH IT AMfNf FHNNHN ~
oeptable 20 Great Britain and other
Western powers the Bolshevin will be
IN the position OF having TO reeede
from the uncompromisinR view de-
ferded AZ Genoa by Georg Tehiteherin'
Bolshevik Foreign Minister.
Inquiry to Preeede Concessions
France Is ready 20 make certain gen
eral concessions 10 the Russians. but
before she will swallow either promises
or statements OF Red leaders on private
property rights or the restoration OF
oil fields 20 former owners. she is going
20 demand an independent inquiry into
the situation.
In his telegram Poineare said u
would be impossible 70 enter into any
agreement with country about which
the world was so ignorant and 10 would
be nonsense 20 accept any information
from Bolshevik sources without verify
ing Il. Il Is even impossible az presen.
70 learn whether the head OF the
Soviet government IS dead. alive or
crazy, the Premier. commented. much
less 20 try 20 ascertain the true state
Of affairs in Russia from the Reds
themselves
The Russians have declared repeated
IS that they would not consent TO in
vestigations in Russia By foreign com
missions. Poineare's attitude would
indicate that France will be firm in her
refusal not 20 take the word OF the
Bolsheviki on anything without con
Grming 1t 20 her own satisfaction.
Orders Expected Tuesday
The British experts here conferred
privately with the French this after
noon, emphasizing their desire TO have
Frances collaboration at The Hague
meetings. spokesman for the French
delegation said this afternoon that he
did not expect 20 receive formal in
struetions from Paris on Frances atti-
tude until next Tuesday. a. the
Premier. after discussing the situation
with Lloyd George. would return 10
Paris ard meet the Cabinet Tuesday
morning. The delegates believe the in
sfructions will tell them 20 remain al
The Hague. but only on condition that
m independent inquiry be made By the
western powers into the Russian situa-
ton
Some difficulty Is expected 20 arise
between the Dutch government and the
I'll sian delegates before the confer
o. ,a has proceeded far over IN. pro-
rsnia question Although the Dutch
formally notified the Moscow regime
faat no form OF persuasion would be
tolerated al The Hague. it is patent
that the Bolsheviki seize every oppor-
tunity abroad 20 rejuvenate their con-
velts and disseminate subtle propa-
ganda. After the armistice was signed
timid attempt at & Communist revo-
luton was staged in Holland and a
Communist party still exists mere.
although every member is known 70 the
Dutch secret service
Dutch capitalists have inspired the
stern sdmonition from the government
that these local Reds must not ""plot"
with their Moscow confreres on Dutch
soil A. they are certain 20 attempt
to confer with Maxim Litvinof. Greg
ory Krassin, Christian Rakovsky and
the other fiery leaders from Moscow
who will be here. a certain activity
seems probable. and the Dutch isils
may be receiving many Dutch Com
munists before the economic confer
encc is over.