Evening star., 1922-04-17
RUSS-GERMAN PACT
|SS|GNEDAT GENOA,
THREATEN|NGCR|S|S
Hurried Conference of Allies
Called to Meet Surprise
Treaty.
WAR CLAIMS CANCELLED
BY SIGNATORY NATIONS
Brest- t-Litovsk Pact Nullifed and
Diplomatic Relations Established
Between Two Powers.
By the Associated Press.

octWcCu xWO 1UWcIo.
By the Associated Press.
GENOA, April ia treaty between
Germany and Russia was signed at
Rapallo yesterday, the signatories be-
ing the foreign ministers of the two
countries. George Chicherin for Rus
sia and DR. Walter Rathenau for Ger
many. The treaty nullifies the Brest-
LitoNsk treaty and re-establishes full
diplomatic relations on an equality
basis.
The pact cancels all war claims, as
we'll as claims arising from the ma
tionalization OF property.
Negotiated for Months.
The treaty signed yesterday. it is
stated, represents the conclusion of
negotiations begun many months ago.
This action by delegates to the
Genoa economic conference. in meet
ing independently and negotiating a
treaty outside the scope of the con-
ference itself, is pointed to as estab-
fishing a striking precedent for the
nations who are participating in the
here.
In connection with the mutual re-
nunciation of naturalization of prop
erty claims and war claims, the treaty
expressed the friendly hope that other
powers would do likewise.
Comes as Rude Surprise.
Announcement of the signing of the
treaty came as rather rude sur
prisa IN tbo copoo oopfaroao opd ~
was pointed to by observers as likely
to make more difficult the position of
some of the other allies in their at
titude toward Russia.
BY the new treaty, replacing the
Brest-Litovsk pact, which has been
so humiliating to the soviet leaders,
| Germany is the first great power to
grant Russia full recognition. Poland
and the Baltic states have long had
| diplomatic relations with the soviet
government, but Germany has been
Withholding recognition because OF
! failure to obtain satisfaction Of the
| claims for the murder of Count Mier-
| bach, who was assassinated in Mos
COW in 1918. when he went there as
German ambassador under the terms
Of the Brest-Litovsk treaty.
Hurried Meeting Called.
Premier Facta of Italy. as president
Of the economic conference. issued a
sudden summons this afternoon for
conference at pm. of the heads of
the invitin powers now in Genoa. 1t
is believed one reason for the calling
of the conference was the announce
ment of the signing of the Russo
German treaty.
The announced object of the meet
ing was to adjust by consultation the
attitude of the allies towards the
Russian question.
The japanese were included in the
invitation.
Previous Trade Agreement.
Although negotiations between Ger
many and Russia have been in prog
ress for some months on various sub
jects, mostly relating to trade mat
tiers, there has been no intimations
that the signing Of formal treaty,
superseding the historic t-Litovsk
pact of early 1918. was contemplated
by the plenipotentiaries of the two
nations at Genoa. The countries had
previously made a trade agreement
which became effective nearly year
ago.
The treaty of Brest Litovsk was
sequel to the armistice between Ger
many and Russia signed at that place
on December IA, 1917, following the
rise of the bolsheviki to power in
Russia. Peace negotiations were be-
gun between Germany and Russia in
January, 1918. but the demands of
the central powers were considered
excessive by Russia, which refused
to concede them.
The next move by Russia was to
announce on February ~ that she
had withdrawn from the war with
out signing peace and had ordered
immediate rehabilitation of the
| did not satisfy the Germans. how
ever. Declaring the war was still
on, they renewed their invasion of
Russia but this was speedily cut
short by a declaration by the Russian
government that it accepted the terms
formerly declined and the signing at
Brest- -Litovsk on March 3, Of the treaty
now superseded.
Terms of Treaty.
AS Indicated, these terms were Writ
ually dictated by the central powers
Although war indemnities were re-
| nounced, Russia agreed to resign all
| claims to Finland, Esthonia. Livonia.
Courland. Lithuania, Russian Poland
! and the Ukraine. to return all the
| Anatolian provinces to Turkey and to
evacuate Russian Armenia.
This treaty was effective. SO far as
| its continuing provisions were concerned.
however. only so long as Germany re-
mained in the war With her defeat
and the conclusion Of peace with the
allies, Germany in the treaty Of ver-
sailles agreed to accept the abrogation
| of the Brest-Litovsk and all other
treaties entered into with the Maxima-
| list government Of Russia, to recognizes
| the full force Of all treaties entered into
by the allies and associated powers
! with states wnich were a part of the
| former Russian empire and to recog-
| nize the frontiers as determined therein.
| 1t was added that the powers reserved
| the right Of Russia to obtain restitu-
tion and reparation on the principles
Of the Versailles treaty.
| AFTER GENOA WHATp ~