The New York herald., 1922-05-03
FRANCE DECLINES
TO ACCEPT TERMS
Continued from First Page.

structeS by the president of the
council TO withhold approval of the
memorandum until Barthou is able
10 return 10 discuss 1t with his col
leagues. As soon as possible In
structions will be sent to the delega
tion.
II was a tough jolt. even for vet
Grams like Lloyd George. 1t was sew
eral moments before he got TO his feet
to say:
This is very unexpected"
Mr.. Lloyd George continued: 81 had
a long conversation with NJ. Barthou
this morning. He gave me no intima-
ton OF this. Therefore l am sure that
NJ. Barthou knew nothing of it,
NJ. Barrere interrupted to confirm
the British Premier's statement, re-
peating that the telegram was re-
ceived only at o'clock, whereas NJ
Barthou left at IL o'clock. 1t looked
like an immediate break in the con-
ference OF the commission and the
failure of the entire effort for peace.
But Mr.. Lloyd George suggested that
they take up consideration of the
minor articles, giving time to reflect
upon the French development. hWen
half the articles had been perused hs
approved of adjournment and lively
informal conferences began among
groups OF the delegates. all looking
grave: startled and worried.
Mr.. Lloyd George declared that he
appreciated NJ, Barrere's difficulty, and
that however distinguished he was as
Ambassador, he had not the same
freedom as a member of the Cabinet;
but he again pressed that the docu-
ment go forward, with the French ex-
pressly reserving firal approval. This
suggestion was unanimously approved
by the other delegates, and Mr.. Lloyd
George approved the French amend
ment, which makes the article more
drastic and provides Russia shall give
distinct assurances as to the rights
foreigners will have when their prop
erty is restored to them.
This basis was reached only at
nearly o'clock tonight, and the
wires began buzzing in the several
villas occupied by the delegations and
between the delegations and their re-
spective capitals.
Hint of New Power Grouping.
Mr.. Lloyd Georges reference to a
possible new grouping of the Powers
was not lost in French quarters, and
the delegation are seriously worried,
as they appreciate that the burden is
now placed squarely upon France for
obstructing the settlement which Rus
sia might accept
The Germans are all ready for such
acceptance and said to-day that they
would promptly make their Russian
treaty conform with the provisions for
private property, pre-war bonds, &C.,
though the provision mutually wiping
out war debts is to stand.
1t is expected tonight that Mr.
Lloyd George will make an i'm
portant statement in the plenary ses-
sion of the conference tomorrow. 1t
is appreciated that it is too early for
him to indicate q definite change in
the British policy toward France, but
his speech is expected to contain i'm
portant comment upon NJ. Poincare's
position in general
1t was plainly hinted in British
quarters tonight however. that the
developments were looked upon as
making further cooperation with
France impossible. British delegates
Of high authority carefully refrained
!, ..fb nf
tate to characterize the new orders
after NJ. Barthou's departure as
treacherous both to the French dele
cation and their colleagues here.
Trade British for Belgian support.
The French refuse absolutely to dis
cuss the affair, although the atn.os
phere in their headquarters is dis
tinctly gloomy. If the French pursue
their present tactics 1t is certain that
they will find themselves without Brit
ish support. The story is current to-
night that France abandoned hope of
British support in the occupation OF
the Ruhr Valley. and that Belgian in
transigeance as to Russia brought
French support as the price of Belgian
support in case the Ruhr move should
become necessary.
The Russian delegates who were not
at the, session professed not to care.
1T is not our affair" said one Russian
delegate to THE NEW York HERALD
correspondent, "and we have not taken
any steps to see II the information is
correct or not. We have neither tele-
graphed nor telephoned to anybody,