Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-05-08
Only Russia Can Save Oay

Gloom prevails at Genoa. for this
week. say many of the statesmen. NAV
witness the smash of the international
conference on which Europe has fixed
its hopes.
Only Russias s acceptance of the
powers memorandum can save the
conference. reluctantly admitted many
| of the delegates. Coinpiete acceptance
is regarded as improbable. and even il
the soviet delegates surprised every
body by returning an affirmative an
swer. Belgium and France seem de-
termined to have their rider more rigid
/ in character than in clause Z of the
memorandum. added to the property
+ clause
! This course by Belgium and France.
if persisted in. would make an agree
ment with Russia increasingly diff
cult. because the soviet delegates are
expected to cling tenaciouslv to their
system of naturalization.
The French delegation has officially
dlsciaimed any responsibility for the
present situation and NJ Barthou has
voiced the hope that Frances attitude
in siding with Belgium would not in
terfere with Frances long friendship
with England. whose prime minister
has decided to consent to further mod-
ficatlon of the memorandum. already
sent to the Russians.
NJ. Barthou further announced that.
unless the Russians returned an un-
equivocal affirmative. the negotiations
were ended so far as France was con-
cerned. and the aggression pact
becomes impossible unless the Rus
sian question is settled
Italy Tries to Patch Up Rift
In the meantime. the Italian repre-
sentatives are desperately trying to
patch up the differences between the
powers. realizing that the collapse of
the conference would not only post
pone the reconstruction of Russia.
which is imperative for Russia and the
world. but would defer TO an uncer-
tain future the needed pacification of
Europe itself. with all the dangers such
postponement implies.
The next few days. therefore. may
witness favorable turn in the confer
ence. which already has produced so
many crises that people would not be
surprised if the latest also was over
come.
The disunion among the powers ap-
parent here Sunday. while Immediately
due to the differences over the meth
cd of treating foreigners property
which the soviet has sequestrated. is
largely the outcome of the Russo Ger
man treaty. which France fears may
mean a new and dangerous military
and the scramble for con-
cessions. chiefly oil. in Russia, which |
has awakened mutual suspicious on
the part of the powers.
Already the delegates are talking |
openly of the possibility of concluding |
separate treaties with Russia. which. |
it is alleged. will put Russia into a |
favorable position such as occupied by |
,'hina in the past, since by playing |
me power against another she can !,
,btain more favorable conditions than |
by negotiating with them collectively. |
Another Conference as Way Out +
In ease the conference fails. among /
,thcr suggestions circulated is one that |
t should be adjourned after appointing /
IN international commission to study
The resolution question. with the under
standing that the proposed solution be !
to another conference within |
/ fixed period of three or six months. /
Il also would be understood that the
commission would plan
or an international loan to Russia. !
guaranteed by the governments and /
loated in various countries. The hope
vas expressed that the United States
would participate in the loan.
Premier Lloyd George appears rath-
n pessilnistic, in contrast to his usual
,uoyant mood. Nevertheless he has
lot lost hope, and is holding fast to
he conviction that the conference can
N S,phn 4