The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1922-05-06
FRENCH-BRITISH
NOTES TO RUSSIA
France Insists on Full Pay
ment By Russia With Resto-
ration of Property.

Genoa. Two historic docum ents
dealing with the reconstruction Of Rus.
STA were submitted by France and
Great Britain to the economic con-
ference Friday and are il the hands
of a special drafting committee ap-
pointed by the subcommittee on Rus
sian affairs, which will endeaYor 10
harmonic the differences in them.
The French document sketches at
length means for restoring Russia s
agricultural and industrial activities,
while that of Great Britain devotes
more attention to credit for Russia.
France insists on the full payment
of Russias war debts and the restOra-
ton of private property to foreigners;
Great Britain favors a reduction in
Russia's war debt and is willing to be
satisfied if Russia grants former for
eign owners the use Of their property,
instead of a return of actual owner
ship.
The adoption OF the y articles in
the agreement with Russia which reg
ulate the disposal of the Russian debt
is favored by France. She demands
that the soviet conclude before De-
cember 81 an agreement with repre-
sentatives of owners of Russian state
bonds in order to provide for the pay
ment of interest.
If an agreement is impossible, ac-
cording to the French contention, the
soviet must promise to accept the de-
cision of a mixed arbitration commits
sion, the president of which will be
appointed by the chief justice of the
supreme court of the United States or
by the league of nations or by the
president of the court of international
justice.
The French draft demands in case
private property can not be restored
that Russia shall pay indemnities.
These indemnities would be provided
for by an issue Of new Russian per
cent bonds. The mixed arbitration tri-
bunal Of three members-one member
for Russia, one for an interested gov
eminent and the third, who would be
president to be designated by the
chief Justice of the supreme court of
the United States-would decide dis
puted points.
The discussion of the two drafts
brought forth a duel of words between
Premier Lloyd Gtorge of Great Britain
and Louis Barthou, chief of the French
delegation. which the auditors de-
scribed as both witty and satirical.
Signor Schanzer, Italy. as usual. took
a leading role in the discussion, urging
Cancellation between the French and
British attitudes. In this stand he
was supported by DR.. Mott, Switzer-
land, and M. Shirmuk, Poland.
Mr.. Lloyd George characterized the
French project as elegant in form, but
defective in important features. He
objected to Frances picture OF Rus
sian disorganization, saying it would
displease the Russian delegation.
Moreover, he added, Frances draft
spoke over much of agriculture and
commerce, while it was superficial on
the momentous question of credits.
Every country, Mr.. Lloyd George in
sisted, should say frankly what 1t was
disposed to do for Russia. He urged
the formation of q consortium with
precise offers from each nation, spe-
officially saying what it was ready to
do not necessarily in actual money but
in general guarantees and regarding a
resumption of commerce with Russia.
M. Barthou did not share the British
premier's viewpoint and described the
British draft as too religiously moral