The New York herald., 1922-06-17
NATIONS ARE AFTER
PLACES AT HAGUE
All But Four Would Serve on
Commissions Dealing With
Russia.
FRANCE REMAINS PASSIVE
Await Instructions From
Poincare After Premier
Sees Lloyd George.
BY JOHN McH. STUART.

BY JOHN McH. STUART.
Special Cable to THE New YORK HnRALD.
Copyright, 1899. by The NEW yoRK IrsM,.
THE HAGUE, June 16.-The nations
began a scramble to-day for places on
the general commission to deal with
Russia and the three s,lbcommissions
on debts to discuss separately Rus
sia's debts. her treatment Of private
property and possible credits. which
the experts decided to create.
France was the only great nation
not joining in the scramble. and
Frances place on the general and the
other commissions was carefully re-
served. NJ. Benoist, the French Min
lister to The Hague, told the experts
that he would have to consult Premier
Poincare. 1t Is significant that at just
about that moment NJ. Poincare was
getting ready to go to London for an
interview with Prime Minister Lloyd
George.
M. Benoist admitted 1t probably
had a chance to consult the French
Cabinet. He did not mention the con-
sultation with Mr.. Lloyd George, which
is scheduled for Monday. but it prob
ably will take place, as it is neces-
sary to advise the Russians on Tues
day who are the representatives to
meet them
M. Benoist's declarations. however.
are not interpreted as assuring French
participation, whether that participation
should be constructive or otherwise. He
described the French delegation as a
commission Of study" with the power
merely to discuss and examine. and re-
fer questions to its Government.
Sir Philip Lloyd-Greanre, British di
rector Of the Overseas Trade Depart
ment, agreed that the same character
should denote every delegation here, and
to-day's meeting was eminently har-
monious.
Belgians Take Initiative.
In strong contrast to their attitude at
Genoa the Belgians took the initiative
to-day ir designing the machinery of
Pellisier Cattier Belgian delegate and
official Of the Belgian Overseas Bank,
that the general commission on Russia
VIII consist of the inviting Powers
Great Britain. France. Belgium and
ltaly-with the Netherlands and five
others appointed by II. A. Van Karne-
beck. Dutch Foreign Minister and chair
man of the conference.
The three subcommissions on debts,
property and credits are to be similarly
constituted with eleven members 1t was
then suggested that all nations wishing
70 serve on the commissions intimate
their desires to the chairman. Adj
)ournment was taken for luncheon. and
the rush began.
When the session was resumed in the
AFTERNOON the Dutch Foreign Minister
mad to tell the conference that every
nation wanted to serve except France.
which reserved decision. and Greece.
Portugal and Rumana, which also
wlshed TO consult their Governments.
The conversation OF several OF the
delegates indicates. however that the
eagerness to sit on the big commission
certainly is not an index to anv desire
TO settle with Russia 1t represents
only an eaSerness to see what the others
are doing. Nervousness in this respect
was evinced by the Hungarians. who
asked II nation not electing to serve
on the commission would be Judged
not in sympathy with the purpose of
the conference. Sir Philip Lloyd Grea me
hastened to assure them that no such
construction was possible, pointing out
that delegates from the British Do
minions were leaving representation 70
their English colleagues.
Nj. Cattier suggested that some of
the countries with no direct interest in
Russia should allow others to represent
them on the commissions, but none was
willing to accept this save the four
mentioned. and It was finally agreed
that the chairman should be given the
discretion to increase a commission TO
thirteen, II necessary to secure any
representation This was largely in
response to request by the States
bordering upon Russia. who declared
they should have q place on all commits
sions. -
To Notify Russians.
Lieutenant-Cor1ma Edward IL
Young. for the British. then suggested
that the Russians should be notified
how the main commission was to be
organized. and requested to form their
delegation similarly, that the two prin-
cipal commissions and each subcom-
mission might maintain constant con-
tact. M. Gather agreed to this, saying
that even should they fail to reach the
agreement for which they hoped. con-
tact must be sustained. He empha-
sized. however. that such contact would
not permit them to look for joint formal
sessons the Russians would meet, the
others merely for an exchange of views.
The newspaper struggle for right Of
admission to the Peace Palace reached
nf NJ bril- D.
day when correspondents were admitted
within The precincts. but only to the
basement. some distance from the dele
gates. It was explained that the cor
ridor. where yesterdays stand was
made, was the only place IN the whole
vast structure whittier the delegates
could repair for private confabs and
their tea. Further means of contact
with the delegates was secured. how
L. IA..l- - 1. q.