The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-07

A. storation of private property
 Lloyd George, who is hoio- ing more and more private oonVer- sations with the soviet delegates frankly opposed any obligatory res titution which, nevertheless. was the only solution guaranteeing proprl- etors their rights. Moreover these proprietors, called in the document. former proprietors,' which LOOKS much like recognizing that their ti- ties have ceased to exist. merely get the vague promise of Compensation which depends finally on the cen tral. or even the local soviet's judg- ment This is why Belgium refused to sign the document. Our represent tatives missed their opportunity to raise the issue then.
 Barthou, at the May session. an nounced that he accepted the opinion of the experts that tho text of the document did not support the view point of sthe Belgians. Then, while en route to Paris to confer with Poincaire, the latter telegraphed Barrere to reserve Frances signature 4s hours, but meanwhile stated that he did not object to sending the mem orandum to the Russians. Finally, on May 8, the French government over ruled its chief delegate and decided to stand by Belgium and not sign. Thus Barthou returns to Genoa to take an opposite position to what he held be- fore he left there.
 Situation Complicated
 The situation thus produced is OK tremely complicated. For myself I won't hazard any prediction of the outcome. Like most Frenchmen, and I expect most Americans will agree, I believe that the private property issue is one upon which we must not yield at any price. First. private property rights must be guaranteed as the key stone of modern society. Second. by defending this principle, we have firm ground whereon to de- fend ourselves against bolshevsk propaganda and also to secure world wide approval for our stand.
 Motta, chief of the Swiss delegation, declared on May 1 that If France would support Belgium, Switzerland would follow. Need l add that a Belgo- -Franco-Swiss bloc on such a proposal undoubtedly would have at tracted other nations. Opportunity knocks but once and so the decision should have been made without fort night-or an hour's--hesitation. He's itating France let the favorable mo- ment pass. The support that was available yesterday naS vanished. Re- turning to the Belgian viewpoint carries much less weight than to have supported 1t from the outset.
 Conference Mystery
 The future of the conference Is full of mystery. Those who originated 1t. notably Lloyd George, have always said that the value of it's decisions would lie in the unanimity where with they were adopted. It is now obvious that this unanimity Is i'm possible. Moreover. the British Pre- mier through daily overJures to the Germans and the Russians, has sketched q policy which provokes dis- quietude and alarm throughout a large part of Europe. Finally 1t grows clearer that the great majority of British opinion does not follow Lloyd George in his constant pressure on the allies and neutrals.
 All this being 30, how can we be- lieve that anything substantial can be accomplished? have reread rrotsky's speech to the red army on May 1, administering the oath. There was neither fraternity nor peace therein To give money credits and railway material to men who speak thus is at least imprudent. but thus Tar this is the only practical measure that has been discussed.