New-York tribune., 1922-03-23
Russian Treaty
Fight Brewing
I'm Parliament
Opponents Of Soviet Rccog-
mition Charge Hidden
Motive in Premier's Move
for Vote of Confidence
Distrust His Genoa Aims
Crisis 10 Come in Commons
April 3; Italy VIII Back
LIovd George at Parlev

Fyou, The T'ybaHe's European Bureau
tCouvrisat iae2 New Yorl, Tribune lnc)
LONDON, March 22.--The opponents
~ anv formal negotiations with the
RolsheviNi are organizing. because
shev believe that Premier Lloyd
George intends to use the vote of con
adeucc he Will seek in Parliament on
Apri 8 as 4 means of making treaty
with Russia at the Genoa conference
The Italian delegation, it is believed,
will take the initiative in advocating
friendly relations with the Reds, know
ing that the British will support them
at every step.
Lloyd George is anxious to negotiate
q general Russian treaty, and this has
been one of his ambitions for the last
six months. The Marquis of Curzon,
the Foreign Secretary. who will be
member Of the British delegation, be-
leves q treaty is the pest means of
forestslling the Bolshcviki in the Far
East, while Sir Robert S Horne Chan
celor of the Exchequer, the third
member, believes that Russian
treaty can do no harm and possibly
may assist the British treasury.
France May Favor Treaty
There is a reasonable chance that
France viii be for the treaty, although
Premier Poincares delegation will
have instructions to fight to the end
for compromise. Germany will be
glad to come to a general understand
ing and members Of the Little Entente
are naturally anxious to make terms
with their great Slav neighbor
In his speech at Cannes last January
Lloyd George declared that the recog-
milton Of Soviet Russia was essential to
the reorganization of European trade
and now the time has arrived, it is
forecast, for him to make a big politi-
cal coup IN the interest of his political
fortunes. In government circles the
greatest emphasis is now being placed
on the Importance of the Genoa confer
ence, official spokesmen declaring that
the parley must be a landmark in Eu-
ropean history. But there are many
people in and out of the House of
Commons who share the American
viewpoint, and some of them intend to
fight the Prcmier's policies before he
goes to Genoa.
1t must he admitted that their posi-
tion is somewhat embarrassing, because
any party which opposes the Genoa
conference places itself in the position
OF playing politics at time Of national
d.ihcultv. Neither the Labor party nor
the Asquith Liberals can make the
hgni ON this issue, and 1t remains for
the Conservatives chiefly die -hards,"
wlo brought on the crisis by their at
-.rN Ia Irfc 1oiy a
attack on the Premier's Russian pro-
gram. They have a considerable press
support. for all of Lord Northclffe's
newspapers. as we'll as the regular
Conservative press. oppose the making
Of the treaty with Lenine and Trotzky.
Big Fight in Commons Forecast.
During the next fortnight the cam
paign promises to develop rapidly, and
when the debate is held in Parliament
on April 8 it is bound to prove one Of
the most stirring in the history of the
present house. Although much may
happen in the interval, prospects seem
which means that out of the Genoa
conference Will come a treaty with
Russia. That treaty also means a rec
ignition of the Soviet government
something for which Lenne has been
fighting ever since he came into power.
II the countries represented at Genoa
sign treaty with Russia. America will
De the only. power, excepting possibly
Japan. which viii not be party to the
agreement
According to reports from Moscow
Leninc is suffering from an intestinal
ulcer and il is not likely that he will !,
be able to attend the conference.
Chancellor Wirth does not intend to
head the German delegation unless