Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-07-13
FIRST step TOWARD ENDING
HAGUE CONFERENCE IS TAKEN .
BY NON-RUSS SUB COMMISSION
Adopt Resolution Declaring
Usefulness OF Conference
With Russian Commission
Has Ceased; Delegates
Have Already Made Plans
To Return Home.

on private property
of the conference on Russian affairs
today unanimously adopted resolu-
ton declaring that in the light of the
views expressed yesterday by the
Russians concerning the restitution OF
foreigners property in Russia, it
would "serve no useful purpose to
continue the meetings with the Rus
sian commission"
This resolution was forwarded to
the Russian representatives here and
also to the full commission of The
Hague conference. It was regarded
as the first of the formal steps for
the conclusion Of the conference.
May End Friday.
The Hague, July 13.-(By the AS
ISOLATED Press. .)-Actual dissolution
of The Hague conference on Russian
affairs probably cannot take placeibe
fore tomorrow. as the session of the
sub-commission on credits has been
postponed until then and no meeting
is planned for today between the
Russian and non Russian delegates.
Meanwhile experts representing the
countries which have tried to reach
an agreement with the soviets are
holding meetings for the discussio on gof
their final stand on the question Of,
foreign owned property in Russia,
confiscated by the soviets. about
which all the minor differences
center.
Many of the delegates have made
train reservations for tomorrow or
Saturday.
Both Russians and nom Russians
are so firm in their respective stands
it seems unlikely any formula can bo
evolved to save the conference.
The non Russians seem inclined to
break up the meeting in parlia-
mentary way. Atvinofr, the chief
Russian delegate. has been so persist
ent in his methods the Entente group
ness of the clashes and. pave the way
for peaceful ending.
At the conclusion of Wednesdays
meet, M. Ltvinoff granted. an inter,
vieweln Which he declared that the
non-Russian, delegates had clearly
agreed to make the conference fail
ure and were trying to pin the Rus
order to justify breaking up the
M. Litvinoff criticised the organi-
zation of the conference bitterly: it's
division into ub-commissions. which
was arranged before the Russians ar
rived. he declared. was destined to
complicate the negotiations and pre-
vent their success.
Capitalism and Communism were
pitted against each other in bitter bat
ties today which demonstrated the
difficulties of harmonizing the two
economic systems. When the nonR Rus
slams were insisting that the amount
of pre-war debts which Russia shall
pay be decided by a mixed tribunal.
NJ. Litvinoff objected, saying;
There are two worlds now. capital
istic and communistic. One world
would name a communistic and the
other a capitalistic Judge; it would
require angels to do justice on such a
tribunal. and I haven't met any angels
and doubt whether they can be found.
So I want this conference to decide
upon the amount of pre-war debts We
shall pay"
Litvinoff also declared that the so
Wet government must know the
amount of its obligations, as it expects
to pay them.
Many respectable governments adj
init their responsibility for debts and
interest and don't pay them he said
pointedly. I'VE intend to pay if we
enter into an agreement"
Discussing the situation with the
correspondent of The Associated
Press, M. Alphand head of the
French experts, said Wednesday:
'Today's developments clearly DEM
onstrate that it is impossible to carry
on any negotiations with the soviet
government. whose sole object is to
obtain funds to perpetuate the SOW.
ct governments existence"
The Bolshevik leaders evasion OF
the questions concerning restitution
and their refusal to admit the right
of compensation for appropriated
property, which was accepted by the
European leaders as inevitably mean
Ing the collapse of the conference,
came as distinct shock, rs many be-
lieved the Communists would shift
their attitude at least to the extenttof
| making further negotiations possible.
In fact. the rigidity of the Boshevik
attitude proved disquieting because it
indicated conviction Of the strength
OF Communism and the determination
to make no compromise. s's#
In view of the unfavorable develop
mentsin the European financial situa-
ton growing out of the demoralization
Of conditions in Germany, there is no
attempt on the part Of the delegates
to hide the fact that failure to reach
an accord with Russia has served to-
postpone the day of Europes econom-
tc reconstruction.
- =