The New York herald., 1922-05-18
FRENCH REACH OUT
FOR AMERICAN AID
Paris Notifies Washington of
a Commission Coming to
Discuss Debt.
FULL ACCORD ON RUSSIA
Insists Hague Talks Must Be
Purely Economic, as Hughes
Suggests.
FULL ACCORD ON RUSSIA
BY LAURENCE HILLS.

Specidi Cable 10 THE New YORK HERAp.
Copyright, 1922, bD~ THE New YoRK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Paris, May IL.
A much clearer read to a. rap
prochement with the United States
than she has seen for some time has
been opened up for France by Secre-
tary Hughes's declination to partici-
pate in the Hague mesting of ex-
perts to deal with Russia. Inspired by
the hopes which Washington has sud-
denly aroused. the Poincare Govern
ment to-day took two steps of great
significance in this respect
FIRST, it dispatched instructions 10
Louis Barthou, head of the French
delegation at Genoa. to press for the
original French proposal of a COM
mission confined entirely to experts
and not representatives of Govern
ments" to continue the study of the
Russian problem. France fearing that
IL representatives-that is to say,
Ministers-are sent to the conference
1t will make the meeting political in
stead of strictly economic.
To Discuss Debt Qucstion.
SECOND, it sent note to Washing
ton through the American Embassy
stating that 1t was appointing a COM
mission prepared to go to Washington
Immediately to open all OF Frances
books there before the American debt
commission and discuss with them in
the frankest terms the French debt to
America.
1.-THE French war debt to this country
on May 15 amounted to $3.340,S57 ,593
of principal and $3.50, 100000 OF accu-
mulated interest, while Great Britain's
debt on the same date totaied s4.135.-
s1S.35s of principal and s611,000.0 900 of
interest. The French budget for 1929
makes no provision for the payment of
either interest or capital on the French
debit
This action was decided upon a few
hours after the American note was re-
ceived. although only the day before It
was oficiaiiy stated that no answer to
be made for some time.
In these two moves are revealed how
Washington is supplying the main in
centlve to friendly diplomacy since the
Genoa development. Although the re-
suit OF Barthous move at Genoa Is not
yet known here. it was emphasized
more clearly to-day than ever that un-
less notifications are made in Mr.. Lloyd
Georges Hague plan to bring II abso-
lutely In accord with the American con-
ception OF such a conference, France
will decline the invitation to participate
and so probably will Belgium. 1t must
be purely and simply economic research
as suggested by Secretary Hughes that
will occupy this commission II IL Is TO
have the active collaboration Of France
In Full Accord.
Il was also emphasized In official cir
cles to-day that so completely was
French opinion In accord with the
American reply that there was no need
for the French Government, nor has IL
any intention. to ask Washington to
clarity its views or modify its policies
as the Italians are reported to be on the
point Of doing.
Practically speaking for the Govern
meuL inc IcUtp6 to-n1knt says tnAt the
Government supported the invitation TO
America when II believed the Hague
conference was to be purely technical
and without contact with the Russians
When II afterwards became n political
enterprise and n continuation OF the
Genoa embrogiios." the Temps continues.
'the American Government refused to 20
and the French Government, arriving
spontaneously at identical conclusions.
fully approved the response OF the
United states. France. therefore, Is
not interested In seeing the American at
titude modified and will not Join IN any
such Intervention as has hss,i proposed" :"
The United States. the Temps adds.
has rendered signal service to the en-
tire world by the attitude II has main
tanned regarding the soviets. The de-
clsion TO send commission 20 discuss
the debt question to the United States