New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-05-14
By Arthur S. Draper
specfo, Cable to The T-tbun.

Copyright. 1922. New York Tribune Incl
GENOA, May 13.-Louls Barthou.
chief of the French delegation at the
economic conference, proposed before
the political sub commission consider
ing Moscow's reply to the Allied re
construction terms, that the negotia-
tions with Russia be dropped. France
felt that the FIVE weeks spent here had
been wasted time, he said, and neve,
would agree to Premier Lloyd Georges
proposal for joint Russo-Allied COM
mission to study the points bargainsd
over here.
The French, declared Barthou, saw
no possibility of obtaining any tangible
results from such commission, and
would not under any circumstanc
agree to the establishment Of Il pan
European truce to last while the pro
posed commission was at work. Such
a truce, he said, was regarded by the
French government as grave menace
because of the impossibility of pre-
venting the spread during the truce
period of Bolshevik propaganda.
AS counter proposal, Barthou said
that France would be willing to have
the Russian question considered at
some later date by commissions OF
which the Allied and neutral govern
ments and perhaps the United States
would be represented. but from which
the BolshevikI would be barred.
France will never consent to the
Russians sitting on such commi ssions
Of inquiry" said Barthou. Later he
added: 1--WE all regret the absence o,
the United States from this conference
II the French suggestion we're accepted.
perhaps the United States would join
u.s."
viewpoint on one hand and the British
and Italian on the other was complete,
although the arguments before the
commission were not heated. Bar
thou's declaration that France
would have nothing further to do with
the Bolsheviki was something Of a
surprise to Premier Lloyd George
who twenty-four hours earlier had
been informed by Barthou that France
would help in every way to salvage
something from the failing conference.
But aside from the Italians not much
sympathy for the British proposals,
OuLlllcu " VIC ny
George, was exhibited among any o.
the delegates.
Lloyd George admitted to the COM
| mission that the Russian reply was
provoking, unsatisfactory AID typical I
of Soviet diplomacy, which always in
PRODUCES argumeptative documents"
Nevertheless, he Said, he thought it
was quite clear that the Russian dele :
cation wished to come to some ar
rangement. Speaking from his own ex-
| perience, he added, every one had diff
| ficulty with public opinion at home,
| and consequently it would not be fair
| TOR other statesmen to criticize the
| Russians too severely.
Break Declared Dangerous
| A break with Russia, he continued,
would be extremely serious for the
peace of Europe, because it would send
| these Red ENJOYS home empty handed
to starving people who had trusted
them to obtain results and who might
not accept verdict calmly. Fierce re.
sentiment would be felt in Russia, he
I felt sure, and it might prove serious
menace to Russia's neighbors and the
] peace of the world.
The British Premier proposed, there.
! fore, that a reply be sent the Mos,
| COW delegation, in line with their suc.
| gestion that joint commission be ap
pointed TO study financial differences
! proposing that such a commission b.
constituted and empowered by this con
ference TO adjust the points at issue