The New York herald., 1922-05-08


Copyright, 19ss, by THE New YoRK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Paris, May 2.
TIE Importance of the Standard OIL
Company's influence in world politics
is daily growing more apparent. THE
New York HERALD correspondent was
informed from reliable source this
afternoon that the Belgian delegation
in Genoa had been authorized to as
sure M. Gassauin, director general of
the French branch of the Standard
Oil Company, that if the American in
terests would support TIE Belgian po-
sition as to her private property rights
in Russia (Which are largely oily, Bel
gium would stand out against any
recognition of eventual contracts be-
tween the Soviets and the Royal
Dutch Company. especially in the
Groznyi area.
1t is in this area where TIE Belgian
interests are concentrated in the
Caucasus, and as the protest against
the Russian memorandum from Bel
gium followed the report that the
Royal Dutch Company intended to
make private arrangement which
virtually would have appropriated the
Belgian Groznyi company, it is be-
lieved the latter will place itself un-
der the Standard Oil Company's pro-
lection and control.
1t is understood that NJ. Gassouin
will spend a few days in Genoa and
then will visit Brussels before leaving
for the United States next week with
M. Finally, head of the Banque de
the French Standard Oil Company.
Franco-American Oil Policy.
A new chance for establishing COM
munity of interests with America is
seen by the French Government in the
oil fight at Genoa.
The hope is that this struggle will
bring the United States and France to-
gether in defense of their mutual inter-
ests. Any policy that Washington may
adopt IN supporting the 1hand of the
Standard Oil Company for equal treat
ment with the Royal Dutch OH Com
pany will therefore be strongly sup
ported by the French Government
The oil question involved at Genoa
is still the absorbing topic, many in
sisting that it furnishes the key to the
Genoa conference and It's inception by
the British.
Both companies are fighting hard in
France. but the Standard Oil Company
seems to be getting the upper hand here
since the formation OF It's French branch
and the Governments adoption of the
open door policy. That French sympa-
thies are clearly on the side of the
Standard OIL interests as to Russia was
indicated by one of the leading French
oil authorities who is close to the Gov
ernment, and who gave THE NEW York
correspondent the inside details
of the situation.
Nothing Yet Signed.
I'VE know" he said, "that it is a fact
that nothing has yet been signed between
the Soviets and the Royal Dutch Com
pany, but this is so only because the at
Iention OF Belgium and the United States
was called to the danger threatening
their interests in time to prevent the
signature. The control of the Nobel
fields through the purchase of a major
lty interest in the Nobel company was
by the Standard Oil Company
early last year. and this control re-
ceived the official approval OF the So
viets, who then seemed to recognize the
of prewar concessions and OF
the right of the Nobel company and
others to continue TO exploit their fields.
1T was then that Col. Boyle, an ad-
and close to friends OF the Ru-
nanian Queen, appeared as an nterme-
diary for the Royal Dutch Company
seeking to secure for that company vari-
Gus fields In the Groznyi area. including
the big shibieff. Groznyi and Manta-
cheff interests, all prewar concessions.
They wanted to include In the con-
cessions rights belonging to the Belgian
Groznyi Company, and the Sovlets, need
Ing money. were negotiating to turn the
entire area over 10 the Royal Dutch
Company without regard for Belgian pri-
orlty In the concessions. This, OF course.
showed that the Soviet authorities were
prepared to disregard their own pledges
and that the Standard OH interests might
at any time suffer the same fate as the
Belgian Groznyi interests.
Trndine of for Bessarabia.
"Col. Boyle's completely In the matter
Is not entirely understood here. but Il
is being investigated by French experts
who have been sent TO Genoa. IL Is
that as the Rumanian Queens
closest adviser he expected in return for
his services In obtaining funds for the
Soviets from the Royal Dutch Company
that Runiania's claim to Bessarabia
would be conceded by the Soviets. IL Is
also reported on good authority that had
n contract been concluded between the
Royal Dutch Company and the Soviets
the former would later have obtained
a virtual monopoly OF the Rumanian oil
fields"
Oil men are Fastening TO Genoa. be-
lieving that there Is still danger OF the
Soviets closing deal with the Royal
Dutch company before the conferences
breaks up. The departure Friday night
OF M. Cassouin, head of the Standard
OIL interests in France. was the direct
result of the departure on the previous
day OF the French Government oil ex-
perts, Laurence, Eynac and Pineau, who
although they belong to the Government
were strong Royal Dutch advocates be-
fore France adopted the open door oil
policy.