New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-04-12
Lloyd George Again Acts
as Placator; Gains for
Himself Commanding
Influence i'm Conference
Politics Discerned
In Russian Policy
Germans Win Committee
Place Against Protests
of France and Belgium
By Arthur S. Draper

Copyright. 1922. New York Tribune Ine
GENOA, April 12.-The work Of
the Genoa conference was again
near disruption to-day when Georg
Tchitcherin, Bolshevik Foreign Min
lister and head of the Russian Soviet
delegation, objected to Japan and
Rumania having seats on the prin-
clpal conference commission, which
hopes to work out the details of solv-
ing the Russian problem.
Tchitcherin objected to Japanese
membership on the commission be-
cause of her occupation of Siberia
and Rumania's because that country
was in control of Bessarabia, for
merly part of the Russian Empire.
Baron Isni, head Of the Japanese
delegation, told the Bolshevik For
eign Minister fatty that no matter
how much he protested, his country
would participate on the commission.
Bessarabia Held Rumanian
Speaking for Rumania, Premier Bra
tiano said that Bessarabia was an old
Rumanian country; that great mass
OF the people favored Rumanian SOW
ereignty, and thas the Council of Am
bassadors had approved its seizure bv
his country
The fare-up was quieted by Premier
n
Italy, head Of the political commission.
who said that as these powers had been
invited to the conference it obviously
was out of order to protest againss/
their presence.
Earlier in the session Tchitcheriny
demanded two seats on the sub-com-
mittee because of Russia's peculiar po-
sitlon: Louis Barthou, head of the
French delegation. Immediately offered
an objection, holding that Franco
should have an equal number. DR..
Motta, of Switzerland. said that one
was sufficient as long as the countries
could have "a many experts as they
wanted.
Lloyd George intervened again, hold
ing that as the subcommittee waI
only an exploring and not deciding
body huge subcommittee would prove
embarrassing and unwieldy. Tchitcherin
then withdrew his claim and everything
passed off serenely. Tchitcherin
impressed the delegates as following
the tactics of a lawyer who ofers
multitude of objections in the hops
that in the event OF an unsatisfactory
verdict he may have sufficient grounds
for appeal.
French Also Play Politics
incidentally, Barthou's position is
somewhat similar and too much is not
to be made of French objections, many
Of which are trivial and extreme and
are intended primarily for home con-
Sumption.
The subcommittee handling the oues-
tion of Russia consists of the principal
Allied powers and Germany, Russia,
Poland, Sweden. Switzerland. 1t Is
tee most important committee of tho
Facta, Barthou. Ishii, Tchitcherin and
Wirth. The British are anxious to
avoid a division on any question, but
should the French take en objection
able position it is apparent that Lloyd
George would have an easy majority
in his policy toward Russia.
Sir Robert S. Horne, British Chan
cellor of the Exchequer, was elected
chairman Of the Finance Commission.
which also met this afternoon to re-
ganize. Here again the British rep
resentatiye will have clear majority
for any plan ne may suggest for the
stabilization of the exchange or a gen.
eral consortiun.
The economic and transport COM
missions, which will be headed, incl
dentally, by the French and Belgian
delegates respectively, will not meet
until tomorrow.
The Russians intend to keep this
question Of disarmament to the fore
and the Germans and the Italians are
determined that the conference viii.
give >considu duration to the revision Of
reparations.
Clash Excites Delegates
When the delegates assembled to-day
for the first session Of the political
commission they were still talking ex-
citedly over the dramatic climax of yes
terday's pienary session when Tch;tch-
erin raised the question of disarna-
ment and drew a sharp rebuke from
Barthou
AS helmsman of the conference Lloyd
George has many difficult shoals to
cross in the immediate future, but what
is highly important Is the fact th-t he
won the confidence of the Germans.
Russians and the neutral delegates and
put the French in the position where
they must play with him or become
completely isolated.
With kaleidoscope rapidity the
French have changed from out and gut
objectionists to keen co-operators with
the British. The members of the Little
Entente did not like Barthou's protest
against Tchitcherin's suggestion for
disarmament in the least and they
swung right over into the Lloyd George
camp.
The British Premier is now in posi-
ton of great authority and responsi-
bility and there Is every reason to ex-
pect that some real good will como
out Of the conference. The Italian gov
ernment and their representatives, who
lave an exceedingly difficult domestic
situation to handle and a POWERFUL
political extreme to satisfy, are makina
valiant effort to broaden the scopd
Of the conference so that the real vital
'Assuss OF disarmamentesnd reparationJ