The New York herald., 1922-04-22
Discomfort at Russo-Gcrman
Pact Affects Usefulness
of the Delegation.
SOVIET EVASIyE, Is VIEW
Poincare Declares Surprise
Treaty Is Illegal-Fears
Rcparations Failure.

Special Gable TO THE KEW YoaK HERALD
Copyright, 1922. by THE NEw iozK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Paris. April 81.
THE NEW YORK HERALD correspon-
dent was informed at the Foreign
Office this afternoon that hcncefor
ward the Ercnch delegation at Genoa
will confine its activities largely to the
prevention of discussion of tabooed
subjects like reparations and disarma
mcnt and giving the French view on
other economic points. and will join in
no definite decisions which the rest of
the nations represented al the confer
ence may wish TO sign during the final
sessions. There is no doubt that the
discontented and almost angry state
OF French opinion has considerably re-
duced the usefulness of the French
delegation.
'We consider that the conference
henceforth Is one whose purpose Is to
make recommendation. not TO make de-
cisions." said a high authority. who
stressed the point that this would leave
the hands OF the French Government
free to settle the legitimacy OF the
Russo-German treaty in appeals 10 the
Reparations Commission, the Council Of
Ambassadors. the Supreme Council. or
even juridical committees o. the League
OF Nations, which viii lie asked not to
permit the admission of Germany until
the treaty. which already has been de-
scribed BY Mr.. Lloyd George as dis
loyal" has been abrogated.
French Call Reply Evnsivc.
Under these conditions Germany's
withdrawal from these commissions OF
the conference having 10 do with Rus
sian affairs becomes OF minor impor-
tanc next 10 the struggle which is to
centre upon the Russians demand in
to-day's note for recognition and adj
vance OF cash before debts and foreign
property rights will be recognized by the
Soviet Government.
The same authority expressed the Off
clal French attitude as transmitted to-
night TO Louis Barthou, head OF the
French delegation. thus:
THE Russisns have tried to define, aS
the basic condition for the execution OF
their obligations. the same conditions as
those fixed up BY tho inviting nations
for Russia's participation and eventual
recognition.
''yhe French Government considers
that the Russians reply Is evaslyc in
trying to befog the real issues. and will
not give it's consent to any subvcrsion
of the London experts report unless
the fullest guarantees arc given before
hand that all conditions viii be promptly
carried out. The recognition Of Russia
IS to be a sort Of compensation for good
faith. once il has been proved TO inter-
national satisfaction
May Bring AngIo-French Accord.
II is fact that N. Poincare intends
10 90 10 Genoa 10 confer with Mr., Lloyd
George but not until he has obtained
juridicai opinion to present TO tho Brit
ish Premier. VI. Poincare. IL Is said.
probably viii suggest meeting him at
the end OF the first week OF May. but he
VIII not relieve NJ. Barthou as the pro-
tcctor Of French rights in the confer
ence proper
IL he is able 10 confront Mr.. Lloyd
George with legal opinion that the
Russo-Gorman treaty is counter to the
repsrations provisions OF tho Versailles
treaty and therefore likely TO entail a
Russo-C;erman military accord IN the
event Germany balks Al making the
reparations payments due May 81. ths
Foreign OFFICE believes that NJ poin-
care will have "a conclusive argument
for the immediate signing OF Franco.
British offensive and defensive alliance
with Poland considered az Frances
eastern frontier against tho Bolshevik
Premier Poincare " greatly annoyed
by the attacks OF newspapers. repre-
sentIng nearly every political group in
the Chamber upon the "fechleness Of
the French delegation" but he is con.
fident that the Repsratons Commission
and other organizations viii support
his thesis that tho Russo German treaty
Is Illegal
pARis April 2i.--Strong terms arc
used BY the evening newspapers rc-
rardng Genoa. The Temps says: THE
spirit Of weakness. ievIty. Illusion aud
ignorance characterizing the Genoa con-
ference IS not the spirit 10 prevent war
or put IN order affairs with Germany"
Tho Journal dss Debdts says: Yes
terday's proceedings were pitiabic II
vill be q miracle VI the conference doc
not end " chaos