New-York tribune., 1922-04-15
Lloyd George, With Ital-
ian and French Leaders.
Confers With Russians
to Outline anAgreement
Britain Urges Cut
In Forces on Land
Red Delegates Take Up
Talk of London Plan;
France Is Less Defiant
By Arthur S. Drape,
Special Gable 10 The Tribune


GENOA, April 14.-Lloyd George
to-day laid the foundations for
general agreement with Russia
which will include recognition of the
Soviet government and general
limitation of land ornaments
throughout Europe. This auspicious
start was made at meeting in his
villa attended by Louis Barthou,
chief of the French delegation; For
eign Minister Schanzer of Italy and
three Bolshevik delegates, Georg
Tchitcherin, Maxim Litvinoff and
Leonid Krassin.
An informal discussion of the
whole situation was had and the
friendliest spirit was maintained
throughout. The question of land
armies was taken up in manner
that could not give any offense to
the French. and the way was paved
for an open discussion on this sub
ject.
This was the first time that states
men Of western Europe had met the
Bolsheviki on such terms of init
macy, and the conference is regard
ed as one that will mark a new era,
or at least stir the conference into
open waters where some of the lar
ger questions may be settled.
The conference began this morn
sag and. lasted far into tie evening.
The discussion centered around the
Russian view of the Allied experts
report drawn up at London, which
was taken up point by point.
AS the situation developed no nation
was willing to accept responsibility for
standing in the way of a ten-year vaca-
ton of assured peace, providing all
their neighbors agree. An important
factor in this decision is found in the
attitude of the United States, which
has no desire to enter into European
affairs while the military budgets CON
tinue to eat up all the prospective
earnings of the workers for many
years.
Optimism Is Apparent
While there could be no talk of cut
ting military budgets because of the
limited scope Of the agenda, the same
question was approached through a
proposition that written agreement
be made that would assure ten years
of tranquility in Europe.
A newborn optimism over the pos
sibility of bringing Russia into line is
apparent in French and Italian circles,
and they are looking hopefully toward
a ten-year agreement which will in
sure every country. in Europe against
aggression by neighbors. This. of
course, would be impossible unless Rus
STA entered into the compact The word
disarmament" will not appear in any
of the official conversations. because it
is Objectionable to France, and because
that subject is now under considera-
ton by the League of Nations. But
France is willing to accept a gentle
mans agreement for ten years of peace
and will support any such proposal
unless some Jealous person injects the
word disarmament" into the discus
sions.
Hc ldCb LndJ TdHC6 mas MADE Such
a concession is regarded here as evil
dence that a determined stand has
been made to cut the expenses Of
armies by all other powers and that she
felt obliged to bow to general demand.
in spite of her fear that Germany NAV
again crash across her borders if she
relaxes in the smallest degree her
armed vigilance
napuer Point Re,;.yn,a pI
In arranging to-day's conference,
Lloyd George, it is understood, told
the delegates that he thought an in
formal preliminary meeting was nee
essary before the Russians made their
formal reply to the London program.
The Bolshevik delegates accepted the
suggestion and freely discussed the ex-
perts' report. As a result of this
meeting it is believed that the most
dangerous point in the conference has
been passed, with the prospect of still
further progress.
Russia has checked progress of the
conference by requesting further time
to consider the report Of the experts
and also by introducing various OBJ
jections of technical nature, but
nothing has happened thus far to
create an unfavorable impression.
OTiSlHdly tHe SuD-COHlInILtvc Oh inc
general commission, which really
governs the conference, was scheduled
to meet on Thursday morning, but the
Russians have been obliged to carry
on an extended exchange of kilograms
with Lenine, so that it is probable now
that the delegates will not come to
grips until next Tuesday, although the
meeting to-day has done much to clea,
the atmosphere.
General Basis Of Negotiation
The Russians have served notice that
they will accept the report of the ex-
perts as general basis of negotiation
but that they will oppose it in detail
because they do not believe that the
experts are in position to make
recommendations regarding the in
.ernal situation in Russia. They insis'
that outsiders are not we'll enough in
formed to assume such position. II
private conversation with the CORE
spondent, one of the delegates said tha