New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-05-07
France Serves Final No.
tice She Will Stand by
Belgium in Insistence
on Return of Propertv
NO Modification,
Says Lloyd George
Next Move Awaits Reply
of Russians; Council
Is Believed in Jeopardy

IENOA, May 6 (Bv The Associated
fress)-France will stand with Bel
gium in opposing that part of the
Allies memorandum to Russia dealing
with the property in Russia of foreign
owners. In consequence of this de-
cision, which was communicated to
Premier Lloyd George by Louis
barthou, head of the French delega-
ton, this evening" another crisis has
arisen which endangers the confer
ence and may or may not be settled
before the British Prime Minister re-
turns to London.
If the views Of Belgium with respect
to this article can be met-and it is
considered possible that the Belgians
may modify their demands to some de-
gree-France will place no obstacle in
the way Of e settlement The Rus
SLAMS, howeverJ are still to be heard
from. Their reply probably will be
delivered within two or three days. and
1t is known definitely that they will
present numerous objections to the
conditions set forth by the Allied
powers.
Conference Proves Futile
Prime Minister Lloyd George and
Barthou conferred at o'clock this af-
ternoon, after which it was stated that
their meeting offered no relief to the
strained situation of the economic con-
ference.
Barthou said France was firm in her
Il 1,r,o - u - 4
he had been instructed in Paris to
withhold French approval of the Rus
sian memorandum until Belgium had
agreed to Article VII-formcrly Article
NI-relating to the restoration of pr.
vate property to former foreign own
erS.
While the head of the French dele
cation gave assurances that France
wanted the conference at Genoa to sue
ceed, belief was expressed in confer
ence circles this evening that his firm
position concerning the property ques-
tion was likely to place the conference
in jeopardy
Lloyd George said after the meeting
that the Russian reply must be re-
cleved before it was possible to take
any further steps to meet the Belgian
requirements. 1t was still uncertain
this evening whether the Russian reply
would be given Monday or not, although
it is expected.
Reparations Also Discussed
Lloyd George and Barthou also dealt
with the proposed meeting of the pow
ers signatory to the Treaty of Yer
sailles to discuss German reparations
that are due May 81. The French chief
delegate stated that France was not
prepared to discuss reparations until
after May 81 when it will be known
whether the Germans will default in
payments due on that date
This attitude, it is generally be-
leved, is indicative of Frances nten-
ton to handle reparations matters
alone, as was indicated by Premier
Poincare in his recent address at Bar
le-Duc.
The official French narrative of to-
days happenings not only shows that
the conference is endangered but also
indicates distinct divergence of views
between France and England, tending
to emphasize the differences that fire.
quently have arisen between them dur
ing the conference.
The British Premier, In his meeting
with Barthou, refused to agree to any
further modification of the memoran
DUN, which already is in the hands of
the Russian delegation.
Barthou first saw the Italian Foreign
Minister, Signor Schanzer, and found
him busy trying to frame formula on
the question Of property rights in Rus
sia which would satisfy everybody and
avoid a rupture of the conference.
Expects Good Will to Endure
Even if break comes" Schanzer is
quoted by the French as saying, there
would be no reason for relaxing the
bonds of friendship which have always
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