New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-04-18
Agreement Modifies Yer
saiIles Pact, Releasing
Berlin From 500 Mil
lion in Reparations
Allies, Astounded,
To Confer TODAY
British Declare Move Is
a Challenge to World;
Situation Held Grave
By Arthur S. Draper
r., /-obJs ~ rL ryx

NENOh, Apfll lf.-GermAny cast
a bomb into the camp of the Allies
to-day that threatened the in1n,e-
diate disruption Of the economic
conference when DR.. Walther Rath-
enau, Berlin Foreign Minister, an
nounced that Russia and Germany
had signed a separate treaty Of
peace and commerce, multiplying the
Brest-Litovsk agreement and re-
establishing diplomatic relations.
The pact affects the Versailles treaty
so deeply that, if the provisions were
carried out, Germany would escape
payment Of at least S500,000, 900 In
reparations.
Immediately after the announce
ment was made Premier Lloyd
George called in Chancellor Wirth of
Germany and told him bluntly that
this act Of Russia and Germany was
entirely out Of keeping with the pur-
poses Of the Genoa conference and
that the signing of a separate treaty
at this time was regarded as an at
tack on the Allies in the dark. When
Wirth tried TO justify the signing
of the document Lloyd George told
him that his explanation was made
quate and unsatisfactory.
Situation Considered Grave
A meeting of the Allies will be
held Immediately to determine how
sar the treaty affects the Versailles
agreement. Poland anG the Little
Entente will be represented at this
meeting. The situation tonight is
generally regarded as extremely
grave.
After his talk with Chancellor
Wirth Lloyd George was asked if
there was any truth in many ru
mors that the conference would be
broken up as the result of this act
of bad faith on the part Of Germany
and Russia.
There are all sorts of rumory at
a meeting of this kind" answered
the British Premier.
"Will the French withdraw from the
conference?" he was asked.
mo! Mol" he answered quickly,
When the questioner persisted and
asked his views on the general effect
upon the conference, the premier mere
ly said, 4 am hopeful"
In circles close to the British leader,
however, the expressions were not so
guarded. 1t was stated with a great
deal of heat that the Germans had bean
guilty Of a dishonorable act in eotne
behind the backs of the Allies and that
their whole attitude in the matter was
out of accord with the spirit of the
conference. One British spokesman
went so far as to say that the signing
of the separate treaty was a challenge
to the whole world.
Allies to Confer To-day
Just what action will be taken cannot
be determined until the meeting of this
Allies and the Little Entente, which
probably will take place tomorrow, has
determined what infringements on the
Versailles Treaty are made by the
separate pact.
A spokesman for the Russian dels-
CATION said "The Allies have no Gauss
for complaint in what we have done.
Germany has been crowded out of the
negotiations here and was naturally
displeased. Besides. negotiations have
been going on for several months to
effect this agreement"
Rathenau issued a statemnt SAYING
that he saw no reason why it should
affect in any way the negotiations OF
the Genoa conference, as 1t did not en-
croach on the rights of any nation. He
suggested also that it might serve as
an example for the conclusion of other
treaties which members of the Entente
might make with Russia
Premier Hjalmar Branting of Sweden.
who was attending dinner given by
Albert Thomas, the League of Nations
labor representatives, at which most Of
the delegates were present, said:
This is very great move m Euro
pean reorganization and one that is
bound to disturb France greatly. It IS
bound to have q tremendous effect on
European politics, but / do not believe
that it will interfer seriously with this
conference"
Effect Not Wholly Known
The superseding treaty - fraught
with such tremendous possibilities
that even the coolest ssStAseaan here
is unable to estimate it's full impor-
tance. The first impression was that
France would withdraw from the con-
ference Immediately, but it was later
seen that such an act would play into
the hands of the Germans. Premier
Poincare probably will be heard from
on the subject tomorrow, when the
whole question is taken up by the AL
lied representatives.
Italy takes the situation rather
coolly. The Rome delegates are pleased
that something was done, as they, too,
desire to conclude a treaty with the
Soviet government. On all hands It IL
admitted that Germany and Russia
have strengthened themselves tre-
mendousiy by the treaty, as they ara