New Britain herald., 1922-05-04

MUCH ADO-NOTHING.

sNN II
 It would seem that all Lloyd Georges haste to get the allied terms about nothing" The Russians are mot delighted" by them, and France has decided. according to present ad- vices, to stand by Belgium in her at titude of dissatisfaI--n.
 Incidentally be it said Belgium is not correct in her interpretation of the terms when she says that under those terms, when property is re- turned to former owners by the So- viet, such former owners will get merely a leasehold and not a free hold. In other words when the terms say that the former owner can re- ceive from the Soviet the right to enjoy his property under conditions at least as favorable for him in every thing concerning its use and it's free disposition as existed when in pre- vious possession" those terms, though somewhat confusing, say that the former owner shall have absolute power over his property. to use it or to dispose of it as he will. Nothing else would be under conditions at least as favorable" as formerly.
 The terms submitted, which neither France and Belgium nor the Soviet seem inclined to accept, provide, as it was stated in the Herald they would provide, that Russia must return property, or make compensation or submit dispute as to proper compen- satlon to the mixed tribunals pre- viousy mentioned. Thus the terms tell only what Russia must do, with the exception of stating that the claimant nation or individual must submit to the verdict of the tribunal
 Herein lay the psychological error of those who drew the terms Every paragraph of the terms should begin by stating what great amounts of cash the allies would loan to the Soviet if 1t would agree. Vast sums should have been written in every line of the document bearing the terms The mental equipment of the Russians would have been unable to leave the contemplation of such vast sums, written there before their eyes. There would have been gloating over the prospect They would have signed on the dotted line-if only they saw prospect of this cash. The germ of Truth is in this overdrawn statement.
 And the allies might well have done this although the order would not have been businessiike. It is tntend ed to give financial aid to Russia if only Russia will talk business in business way-if only there may be found sound basis for talk of finan cial intercourse.
 Meanwhile the fear that England is urging the signing of these terms by France and Belgium because of her own selfish interests, comes to those countries. Stories of possible un- derstandings between English inter ests and the Soviet, as indicated in rumored activities of the Russian del egates Ion the side" disturb. Foun- dation for such rumors there may be It is almost inconceivable however, that Lloyd George would be in ignor- ance of any such underground trans actions, and if aware of them, that he would allow them to endanger the conference. In trade, in financial matters, England may be counted up- on to lose no chance to advance her interests, If selfshness on England's part crops up nova selfishness that would injure France or Belgium-the catastrophe of the conference would be complete, no matter what har- mony will seem to have been ob- tained.