The New York herald., 1922-04-19
BRITAIN, HOPEFUL, WAITS MOSCOW REPLY TO TREATY T
o. granting us something only i'm.


poses obligations upon us.
Next week we might have had
placed before us this agreement
reached privately, and been asked to
accept it; and should we have re-
fused, no doubt we should be told we
were disturbing the conference. The
reason we did not sign the Russian
treaty before we came 10 Genoa was
that | wished to attend the confer
ence with free hands
I'VE were invited to come TO the
conference as equals" he continued.
Ito deal in common with the prob
lens affecting us in common. Then
came the Allies with negotiations in
private. | had no opportunity to see
Mr.. Lloyd George. although | asked
repeatedly to do so; SO we had to
content ourselves with keeping him
informed through Intermediates.
Long conversations were held with
members OF the British delegation
and we reported fully that we were
unable to agree to the London re
port and felt obliged to deal with the
Russians independently. Friday night
we heard semi-cfficially--or maybe
officially, | cannot see the differ
ence--that negotiations with the Rus
slams were making great headway
This ought to be a real peace
conference" DR.. Rathenau added,
"and / fail to see why a real peace
treaty should not be welcome. for |
think this is the first real peace
treaty made since the war fer
vently wish that all other countries
would make peace in a similar spirit
of reciprocity and mutual forgive
ness" \
German Interests Damaged.
DR. Rathenau declared that the
German interests which were being
damaged in private conferences be-
tween the Allies and the Russians
were several. The chief one was that
''the Russians are being asked to
claim reparation by Germany under
Article 116 of the Versailles treaty"
Prime Minister Constantine Skirmunt
OF Poland denies this version and
says that the only principle involved
in the private discussions was Rus
sia's recognition OF her debts.
Those who are acquainted with the
Wilhelmstrasse under the republic are
inclined to believe the Germans got
themselves into the present difficulty
because they simply failed to appre-
ciate what reverberations their treaty
would awaken. They had apprised the
British of the negotiations and had ar
rived at an arrangement with the Rus
slams which they understood Mr. ] lloyd
George approved. 1t was only in the
last moment that the Russians balked
at making an informal arrangement
and insisted upon formal treaty.
The German Foreign Office has been
timid and querulous for the last two
years. and rarely has it .sken any
step without asking the advice OF the
British Government II seems fairly
obvious that they thought they were
observing the same self discipline this
time.
A distinction can be made between
tho official and unofficial British point
OF view upon this episode. Officially
the British are outraged: but .unoffi-
cialE they admit that the treaty is ms
nocent
IT is frequently asserted among the
British that the strong protest had
been made on their part to assist
France TO a moralsvictory in the Incl
dent; but also II is believed that
France is the one country which would
lose most materially BY the treaty.
only French china Broken.
"The majority OF Englishmen would
approve the treaty itself and probably
would be glad TO have England make
a similar one with Russia" said
prominent Englishman to-day The
only china that's been smashed is
French porcelain" was another phrase
well expressing the opinion in the
background of the conference. Every
thing. in fine, was done to appease
the French. so as to prevent their
leaving the conference.
The effect OF the Russo-German
treaty upon the conversations at Prime
certain. 1t may end them altogether
The allied delegates are discontented
with Russa's obstructive attitude. in
view OF the Allies clear offers on the
fundamental point OF recognition OF
lprewar debts. and in consideration OF
the exaggeration OF Russian figures
and the doctrine OF impression In
Russian documents and arguments
For example the figure of 5000
100000 rubles as compensation due
Russia for Intervention Is regarded as
absurd. because the war in Siberia and
Russia was ludicrous from a military
point Of view. consisting mostly Of
movements OF bodies or partly armed
fnen trying 10 frighten each other.
Frequently there were no fatalities in
the battles" fought.
GENOA. April rs fAssociated Press) 80
The representatives OF the Powers which
convened the Genoa conference. together
with the Little Entente. decided tonight
after an all day discussion. 10 continue
the economic conference regardless or
the attitude OF Germany and Russia
The discussions at the meetings were
calm and dignified although consider
able difference or opinion existed Two
groups were formed. one led by England
and the other by France while the