The New York herald., 1922-05-10
BELGIUM MAY ALTER
STAND DONPROPERTY
in HANDS OF SOVIET
If Impossible to Return 1t,
May Consent to Leases
or Payments.
RUSSIA CONCILIATORY
Genoa Delegates Believe
Reply Will Be Clear Enough
to Avoid Break.
WON'T SAY YES OR mo-
To Make Reservations on
Propaganda and Property
in Allied Note.
WON'T SAY YES OR mo-
BY JOHN NH. STUART.


Special Cable to THE NEW YonK HERALD
coDyioht. Iys2, oy THE New York HnRtB.
GENOA, May s.-The odds tonight
are 33 to l for Genoa agreement on
Russia. Russia herself represents
the short end of the odds, and though
it may be as Louis Barthou said-that
the Russians themselves shall name
the day for the break up of the con-
ference-the fact remains that every
one of the Nhirty-three other nations
represented here are striving tonight
to find basis for settlement.
There are no indications that the
Russians will come through with the
categorical answer M. Barthou as
serted was necessary, but from the
best information THE New York
HERALD correspondent is able to OBJ.
tain the character of the Soviet an
swer will be generally conciliatory.
If such turns out to be the case It
is not believed here that M. Barthou
or Premier Poincare will be willing
to assume the burden of breaking ND
the conference by Frances with
drawal.
1t is believed the Bolsheviki will
make reservations on two articles
Article l.. in relations to propaganda.
and Article VII, on private property.
| Concerning propaganda, they will
point out that Russia normally is
land of free speech and cannot un-
dertake to repress Soviet propagan-
Ga there, and likewise can hardly be
expected to pledge her national word
to suppress Soviet propaganda in
other countries
May Consent to Compromise.
1t is not clear what reservation they
will make on Article VII. but the
sentiment reflected by both the French
and the Belgians this afternoon, fol-
lowing whirl of informal visits back
and forth among the various delega-
tions. indicates that both feel it is pos
sible to find formula for meeting the
situation all around
AS neither the French nor the Bel
gians have signed the memorandum,
however the development of that for
mula will have to wait until to-mor-
row. when the Russian reply will be in
the hands Of the Allies. 1t is consid-
cred likely that then a new Article VII.
will be framed in an effort to bridge
the gap between Brussels and Mos
COW on conceptions of private property
rights. After such an article is,framed
and transmitted TO the Russians, 1t Is
quite possible the Allies will declare
it the last word and demand the Yes
or mo" that NJ. Barthou wants.
Belgium stands for Property.
Discussing that possibility to-day a
Belgian spokesman said:
I'VE are standing for principle. and
are not concerned either with words
or-once the principle is acknowledged
with how many exceptions the facts
Of the situation may force--even IL
the exceptions are so numerous as TO
prove the rule. We object to the
AtlHiS Va NIt DitiiOi
cause they put the cart before the
horse by demanding restoration or
compensation.
I'VE want II clearly stated that pri-
vate property must be restored. how
soever possible. and then. il the ex-
animation OF detailed cases. no mat
ter how many. proves that the identi-
cal property cannot be restored, We
are willing 10 talk compensation"
The Belgians refuse to admit that
the Soviet Government can nationaliza
their extensive mines and metallurgical
works In the Donetz basin. which con-
stitute so per cent. OF all Russian in
dustrialsm. producing 90 per cent. o.
all the domestic pig iron.
But the Belgian spokesman indicated
that if naturalization actually should
have been accomplished In such fash
ion that II would be impossible to un.
scramble the properties. they might
listen TO leasehold compensations or
payments in kind If this represents
the point OF view which the brussels
Government. and Paris also will take
the way CT settlement ought to be COM
paratively easy
Il was day OF rest for most Of the
delegations. MT lsloyu teorgc ~ re-
ported 20 have slept all the afternoon.
undisturbed by waiting for the Russian
answer George Tchitcherin handed the
completed manuscript of the reply to the
stenorrapher in the Soviet offices at |
o'clock. to be prepared for submission to
the Allies. MIR Lloyd Georges rest is
well earned. for 1t Is said that. in addi-
ton to all the other work OF the con-
ference, he has done much to settle the
Fiume question He Is deeply grateful
Tor sisnor Facta's and Signor schan-
zer's mediation over Russia, and lent
his own interccssions wtht Premier