Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1922-04-11
SOVIET ENVOY
INSISTS.AIRIMSS R
ECONOMIC KEY
Holds To Contention Despite
Stormy Attitude Of France
AT Opening

GENOA, April 11.-(By Associat-
ed Press. George Critcherin, mead
of the Russian Soviet delegation to
the economic conference, issued a
statement today declaring it useless
to discuss the reconstruction 81 Eu-
rope without also discussing disarma-
ment.
"Amelioration Of present condi-
tions is impossible while imperialistic
countries continue vast expenditures
for the maintenance of large arm
ies," he said.
His statement coming on the heels
of the clash of France with the idea
at the opening session yesterday,
gave the conference gloomy pros
pect.
The admission Of the Russian and
German representatives to the prin-
cipal committee of the economic con-
ference was strongly opposed today
by both the French and Belgian rep
resentatives.
Lloyd George, together with Pre-
mier Facta and Foreign Minister
Schanzer, of Italy, interviewed, how
ever, and their conciliatory attitude
finally resulted in the admittance of
both the Russians and Germans.
Russia, the status of which is one
Of the questions of supreme impor-
tance to be decided by the economic
conference, came to the foIefront
soon after the opening of that great
assembly yesterday. Speeches had
been made by the presiding officer,
Premier Facta, of Italy; NJ. Barthou,
representing France; Premier
Lloyd George, of Great Britain; DIR.
Wirth, of Germany, and spokesman
of Japan and Belgium, all of con-
ciliatory nature and voicing adher-
ence to the Cannes resolution, upon
which the present gathering is based.
Mr. Lloyd George had said that all
the delegates met on a footing of
equality, provided they accepted the
conditions set forth, which, briefly
declared that countries must not re-
pudiated their contracts, that they
must not wage war on the .nstitu-
ions of another, that thsy must not
engage in aggressive operations
against others and that the people
of one country should be entitled
to justice in the courts OF another.
Critcherin, the Russian Soviet for
eign minister, in speaking for his
delegation, announced their adher-
ence to the resolution and he decIar-
ed that Russia was ready to support
any proposals that would avoid war
or tighten the burden Of armament.
N. Barthou Immediately protested
and declared with some heat that
France would absolutely refuse to
discuss the question of disarmament
at this conference.
Mr.. Lloyd George hastened to in
tervene and in his contention that
disarmament could not be taken up,
certainly not before a peace basis
had been reached at Genoa, he was
supported by Signor Facta. Event
ually the discussion on this point
ceased, after M. Critcherin said the
Russian delegation would bow to the
collective will of the conference.
The clash between the Russian and
French delegates disclosed the fact
that disarmament is not on the agen-
da and that therefore this matter
Is not to be taken up for considera-
ton The keynote Of Lloyd George }
speech was peace, and he made a
powerful appeal to the delegates TO
work in unison for the restoration Of
good relations and normal economic
conditions throughout the world. IL
believed that if the conference was
successful in its achievements, the
U. S. "would not merely come in,
but come in gladly"
The Italian premier, who was eiect-
ed permanent chairman Of the con
ference, was equally earnest in his
desire for unanimity and promised
the aid of Italy in carrying out any
resolution likely to guarantee peace
and stability among the nation. M.
Barthou pledged the loyal support
of France in whatever the conference
might do to put into execution the
tasks of reconstruction and good re-
lationship which it has mapped out.