River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1922-05-11
Russians and Germans Almost
Break Up the Economic Con-
ference at Genoa.
SIGN TREATY OF THEIR OWN
Allies Bar Germany From Chief Com
mittee but Neutrals Protest-Fight-
ing in ireland lncreases-Little
Navy Advocates Are Defeat
ed in the House.
By EDWARD w. PIcKARD


EOR several days last week 1t was
i thought the Genoa conference was
about to break up in row, but at
this writing it appears possible that
the trouble will be fixed up and the
discussion of plans for the economic
regeneration of Europe will continue.
Germany and Russia precipitated
the row, and the former got most OF
the blame, the soviet delegate, Tchitch-
erin, being credited with a clever move.
Following up the negotiations begun
in Berlin, he and Doctor Rathenau got
together in Rapallo and signed for
their respective governments treaty
that anticipates what might be done
by the Genoa conference. The two
countries agree to cancel all war debts,
all claims for war damages, and all
claims for damages due to the soviets'
Matchmaking German property, pro-
viding Russia does not repay other for
eign nations for this naturalization.
In the latter case. Germany maintains
the right to claim damages. 1t is
agreed that Germany and Russia rec
ognize each other and resume full
diplomatic and trade relations, that
they treat each other as most favored
nations, and that the treaty of Brest-
Litovsk is cancelled.
Announcement of this pact brought
expressions of indignant protest from
Lloyd George and Barthou, who were
seconded rather weakly by Facta of
Italy, and more earnestly by Theunys
of Belgium and Ishii of Japan. These
five statesmen then called In the
delegates of Czechoslovakia, Poland,
Rumania and Jugo-Slavia and all
signed note to the German delega-
ton telling of their panied surprise
at its action. which they said violated
the conditions Germany accepted
when she entered the conference, and
their decision that as result Ger
many should not be permitted to take
part in any future discussions or de-
cisions relating to Russian affairs.
The Germans took this kick rather
calmly, and some of them said they
would rather leave Genoa than with
draw the treaty--a choice which
Lloyd George offered them Wednes-
day. But the neutral nations-Nor-
way, Sweden, Denmark, Holland,
Spain and Switzerland-promptly lined
up against the allies and joined Rus
STA In the defiant statement that Ger
many could not be barred from par
ticipation in discussion of Russian af-
fairs except by full vote of the con-
ference. This action was actuated
both by resentment against the Brit
ish premier's attempts to dominate
the conference and by the fear that
in the private conversations that have
been going on in his Genoa villa ar
rangements would be made with Rus
STA that would prejudice the interests
of the smaller powers. The Russians
also insisted that Germany must sit
in all conferences because there were
many questions still at Issue between
Germany and Russia. Or Thursday,
however, Lloyd George said the Ger
mans had agreed not TO participate in
discussions of Russian affairs.
ID ARTHOU of France held with
ID Lloyd George that the Russo-Ger- \
man pact revealed violations of the
treaty of Versailles and that the Ger
mans must be excluded. He was
backed up to the limit by his govern
ment. Premier Poincare sent to the
French ambassadors in the allied
countries instructions to insist that
energetic measures be taken and pen
aIties applied to Germany if the Ra-
PABLO treaty were not abrogated, re-
CARELESS of what the Genoa confer
.n,,nn rninlt decide in the rnaffer He