The New York herald., 1922-05-12
Note Assails America and
Other Powers for Stand
OH Property.
ARTICLE Z is RIDICULED
Preamble and Clause Conflict,
Sovereignty Made Play
thing. Soviets Say.


GENOA. May II ASSOCIATED Press)
The general conclusion of the Rus,
sian reply reads:
The Russian Government sent it's
representatives to the conference at
Genoa in the hope of achieving an
agreement with the other States.
which, without affecting the social
and political regime established in
consequence of the revolution and
Intervention victoriously repulse6,
would bring about not aggravation
but amelioration Of the economic
and financial situation in Russia.
and at the same time open the way
to amelioration Of the economic
situation of Europe.
But this plan presuppeeed that
the foreign Powers who organized
armed intervention in Russia, would
cease using toward Russia the Ian
guage of the victor to the van
quished. Russia not having been
vanquished. The only language
which could have led to common
agreement was that which States
adopt toward each other when con-
tracing upon basis Of equality.
Russia remains disposed. in order
to assure tie success of the agree
ment, to consent to serious conces-
sions toward the foreign Powers.
but on this absolute condition: that
to these concessions shall corre-
spond equivalent concessions in
favor of the Russian people by the
other contracting parties. The
popular masses in Russia could not
accept an agreement in which the
concessions granted should not have
their counterpart in real advan-
tages.
A different outcome. and one sug-
gested by the difficulties ofthe sit
ilation. would be reciprocal annul-
ment of the claims and counter
claims flowing out of the past be-
tween Russia and the other Powers.
But even in this case the Russian
Government has decided to respect
the interests of the. small bondhold-
ers.
If the Powers desire to occupy
themselves with the solution of the
financial issues between themselves
and Russia, inasmuch as this ques-
ton demands deeper study of the
nature and extent of the claims pre-
sented TO Russia and a more exact
appreciation of the credits that
could be placed at her disposal, this
task might be confided to a mixed
commission of. experts appointed by
the conference and whose work
should begin at a date and place to
be determined by common consent.
The Russian delegation observes
that the great obstacle which hith-
crto, has impeded the work OF the
conference is the fact that the ideas
OF reciprocity expressed above are
not yet sufficiently shared by all the
Powers; but the Russian delegation
must not fail also to emphasize the
fact that the pourpariers which
have taken place have opened the
way TO rapprochement between
Soviet Russia and the foreign Pow
ers.
The Russian delegation expresses
the opinion that the differences aris-
ing in the solution Of the financial
issues between Russia and the for
eign Powers ought not TO constitute
an obstacle to the solution Of other
problems which can and ought to be
solved here-problems interesting all
countries, especially problems in
ton of Europe and Russia and the
consolidation Of peace.
Russia came to the conference
with a conciliatory purpose and
hopes still that her efforts in this
direction will be crowned with sue
cess.
One passage OF the preamble says:
Instead OF credit being accorded
TO the Russian Government the AL
lies enumerate credits which the
various Governments are ready to
grant TO those of their citizens who
may wish TO trade with Russia. But
this question, interesting as IL may
be for the individual merchant of
other countries. has nothing 10 do
with the question raised by the Rus
sian delegation. These very mer-
chants and industrialists will not be
able to utilize credits to the extent
desired unless the Russian Govern
ment is assured of the financial
means necessary to revise the pro-
duotive forces of the country
condition indispensable to the ex-
istence of commercial relations of
any magnitude between Russia and
other States.
Discussing whether Russia is re-
sponsible for the damage to property
In Russia Of foreigners, the reply says:
Revolution, being assimilated like
all great popular movements to the
category Of force majeurc, does
not confer title to indemnity upon
the sufferers therefrom. When for
eign citizens, supported by their
Governments, demanded the Cars
Government to reimburse losses to
them by the revolutionary events OF
1905 and 1906, the Russian Govern
ment rejected the demands, basing
IT,. - r,..oI -. tH.. fapf that ,.1t taots.