The Washington herald., 1922-04-18
RUSSO-GERMAN
PACT MAY KILL
GENOAPARLEY
Withdrawal of France Is
RumOred-British
Indignant.
GUST TEUTONS, is
DEMAND OF PARIS
Lloyd George Optimistic,
Though Situation Is Ad-
mittedly Critical.

lenge to Europe, British spokes-
men declared in open denunciation
of the economic alliance between
the two Eastern powers.
CONSERVATION and dismay were
expressed in allied circles as dele
gates studied the terms of the
agreement
British spokesmen said the con-
ference was called just to prevent
the splitting up of Europe into two
camps which the Russo-German
treaty threatens to effect. They
could scarcely find words strong
enough to convey their indignation.
Rumor of French Withdrawal.
Rumors flew around that France
would withdraw from the confer
ence. She is known to be incensed
at the treaty. There Is no ques-
tion but that the very life of the
Genoa project hangs in the balance.
Lloyd George. however. Is still
hopeful.
Asked about the rumors that the
conference was about to break up,
the premier said:
You always hear rumors wher-
ever there is a conference. Per-
sonally. I'm optimistic"
He was then asked about re-
ports that the French were plan
ming to withdraw.
No. no." he answered emphati-
caIly. They're not going home"
Says He Is Hopeful.
Regarding the conference of al
mediately upon announcement that
ythe treaty had been signed, Lloyd
George said:
The allied attitude has not yet
been decided definitely. 1t will be
necessary to continue the discus
sion tomorrow. Meanwhile. 1 am
hopeful"
The news was almost a complete
surprise. for although the -allies
tknew the treaty was under nego-
.tiation they had no idea 1t was
no inkling Of the tremendous sig
nihcance of the document.
Allied spokesmen openly declared
q critical situation had arisen and
at once upon learning that the
treaty had been signed Premier
Facta called the representatives of
the FIVE nations into conference at
his villa to decide on a course OF
action
France Openly Dfsmayed.
The allied statesmen deliberated
well into the night.
After comforting two hours. the
allied heads adjourned until IL
o'clock tomorrow. Meanwhile a
sharp note to the Germans from the
conference protesting against the
conclusion of the treaty behind the
back of the conference" Is fore
shadowed.
One authoritative British source
a al
significantly. there are two kinds
of protests-diplomatic and armed.
Which kind do you think we'll
take?'
France is making no effort to con-
ceal he- indignation and chagrin
and il is said she may move to
withdraw from the conference on
the ground that no good can pos
sibly come of it in view of the Rus
so-German development.
Members of the French delegation
are alarmed at the situation. fear
ing that a dangerous Russo-German
bloc has been formed which can
thrive independently of the rest OF
Europe. possibly to the point where
Il will be a menace to the security
of France.
Germany steals March.
some experts lnS Ine new
treaty believed its most favored ma
tion clause is in fiat conflict with
the provision of the Versailles
treaty. which extends to the allies
any special privileges Germany may
receive from any treaty. 1t is pos
sible that the first attack on the
document will be made from this
angle
An interesting feature of the
situation is the mysterious silence
which has prevailed in German
quarters during the negotiations.
Germany. it is generally agreed,
quietly stole a march while the
allies were pickering over the very
points which Germany threw over
board in making her agreement
with, Russia-the cancellation of
war debts and claims for damages
due to naturalization of property
by the Soviets. This concession Is
in direct conflict with the policy of
the allies. Lloyd George having al
ready told the Russians that the
allies would not renounce such
claims
Russian Attitude Changed.
However. while the allies may be
able to prevent carrying out OF this
feature. II is impossible to see how
they can effect a notification of the
major part of the treaty.
The Russians are manifesting a
markedly change d dattitude-almost
of defiance-following the conclu-
sion of the treaty. They know now
they can go back to Moscow and
report they got something at Genoa
regardless of what the allies do.
They insist. however. that the treaty
was negotiated outside of the con-
ference proper and has no connec-
tion with II. Nevertheless IL will
be impossible for the conference to
ignore the treaty.
Rakowski, who acts as Soviet
spokesman in press conferences.
frankly intimated that the Russian
reply to the allied ultimatum will
4 not be the unequivocal statement
which the allies ad demanded.
Get Nothing Out of War.
Instead. II will consist OF fresh
arguments sustaining the Russian
viewpoint. He stated that the dele
cations telegram to Moscow neither
CostisSsd on Page Tro.
=