New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-04-19
Special Coble to The Trtb.n.

Copyright, 1922. New York Tribune Inc.
PARIS, April 1S.-The French gov.
eminent views the Russo-German
treaty as direct violation of the treaty
of Versailles, as we'll as of the Cannes
agreement under which the Moscow
and Berlin delegates we're invited to
the conference, and therefore voi,i.
After a Cabinet meeting this morning
Premier Poncare instructed Louis Bar
thou, chief Of the French delegation At
Genoa, to refuse categorically to recog-
nlze the treaty and to advise the Rus
SLAMS and Germans that they must re
nounce the agreement if they want to
have any further dealings with France
at the conference
Cannes Program Set Aside
1t was said on the highest authority
that the treaty could not be counte
nanced by the French under any cir
cumstances. Article of the Cannes
program clearly set forth that the Ger
mans and Russians, by accepting the
the debts and obligations previously
contracted. This applies directly to
the Versailles pact. Article 26o Of the
Versailles Treaty says definitely that
All German possessions in Russia shall
be ceded to the Allies and turned over
to the Reparation Commission as soon
as possible for credit on Gernany's
var bill. Not only did Germany ac-
ceptt. TINS point at Versailles. but in
dealings with the Reparation Commits
sion she gave evidence that she recog-
nized it by furnishing list Of all tbIs
property. Now, by signing new
treaty with Russia, Germany proves
that she has no intention of carrying
out her obligations to the Allies,
Similarly. the Russians show that thew
do not recognize the debts that thev
pretended to recognize when they ac-
cepted the invitation to Genoa.
All officials Of French and other AL
leo governments here take the view
that the Russo-German pact must be
abandoned immediately or all consid
Grafton of Russia's Reconstruction at
Genoa Will have to be terminated. Pre-.
mler Polncare intends to keep in close
touch with developments at the CON
ference table and with the Allies, and
Will not make any separate moves un-
less forced into them by circumstances
But he does not intend to go to Genoa
unless fresh developments specially re-
qulre his presence. At all events he
VIII not leave France until President
Poincare's Fears Justified
One high authority said to-day that
Polncare never would have consented to
send delegates to Genoa at all if he
had known that the United States was
not going to be represented. He feels
very strongly that it is impossible for
the conference to accomplish anything
definite without American cooperation.
The development of the last few days
seem to bear out the Premier's appre-
hension that much harm and little good
could come out Of the conference if the
United States were not taking part.
There is belief in some quarters that
Germany, if hard pushed by the Allies,
might be willing to renounce the treaty
with Russia if it were made plain that
further negotiations with Germany
were impossible under existing circum-
stances. This belief centers around
the conviction that the Germans don't
want to leave the conference and would
concede almost anything for the priv
ilege of staying. AS viewed here Ger
many's chief hope of gain by the treaty
is to exploit Russia without outside
interference.
The Tribune spondent is in
formed on the highest authority that if
the Germans stand by the treaty the
conference may go on without them.
The Reparation Commission holds q
mandate under the Treaty of Versailles
to act when provisions of the treaty
are violated, but its members have not
taken action yet. Not having been ad-
vised officially by Germany that the
Russian treaty has been signed, the
commission refuses to admit the ex
istence of any such pact and intends
to proceed with negotiations to gain
possession of the German possessions
in Russia.
The semi official "Temps" analyzes
of the Russo German treaty and shows
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