The New York herald., 1922-04-05
SOVIET READY FOR
PEACE WITH FRANCE
Germans Expect Russia VIII
Make Every Concession
to Reach 1t.
WILL C0NCILIATE BERLIN
Prepared Also to Reduce Army
if Rest Of Europe
Does.
WILL CONCILIATE BERLIN

Special Cdbia to THE NEW YORK HERALD.
Copyright, f9se, by THE New YoRK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Berlin, April 4.
1t is reported in well informed quar-
tiers that Germany and Russia have
come to an understanding to the effect
that Russia will not try to exact repara-
tions from Germany under paragraph
116 of the Versailles treaty, and that
Germany in turn will do nothing at the
Genoa conference to further the idea OF
an international consortium. An in
formal agreement of this general nature
is declared to be the only practical re-
suit of the presence here of the Soviet
delegation to Genoa.
1t Is the opinion of governmental cir
cles that some kind of an understanding
between France and Russia is almost
certain at Genoa, but that it is essential
for Germany TO wait for the reaction
upon England before going ahead with
Russia. Germans hope that England
herself will take the lead in dropping
the consortium idea. They expect the
Russians to make every concession pos
sible, save signing the Versailles treaty,
to reach some kind of peace with France.
and that they will pay big price, even
if such peace be only superficial.
The NEW YORK HERALD correspondent
learns that the Soviet delegation has
decided not to bind itself too securely
either to France or to England at the
Genoa conference, regarding IL as a test
to see which is stronger in Europe,
France or England, and Russia will
avoid deciding the issue one way or the
other. For. it is argued, if Russia
should become a partner of either
France or England, few weeks later
it would be in danger OF having both
countries patching up peace at her
expense. The Russians do not believe
that England is ready TO break with
France, and consequently they look for,
ward to the same drama as exhibited
in previous conferences. France making
the bitterest complaint and Prime Min
lister Lloyd George finally compromising
to quiet the allies.
Mr.. Lloyd Georges speech proved a
great disappointment to the Germans.
The Frankfort Gazette Immediately con-
cludes that Europe has lost her leader
and England her Premier. m. Poincare
is now in command of Europe, and
Frances spirit threatens to control at
Genoa" the paper declares, but this
opinion is not shared in Russian circles,
where it was not expected that Mr.
Lloyd George would burn his best gun
powder in London. He may yet confer
with M Poincare before he arrives In
Genoa, and the House of Commons
speech is believed here to have been
moderated purposely to make such
meeting agreeable.
/. is thought unlikely that Mr.. Lloyd
George win spring surprise In the
opening session of the conference, after
the example of Secretary Hughes in the
Washington conference. That his speech
may contain concrete proposals for the
Limitation of land armament also Is pre-
dicted.
The Soviet delegation has left the inn
preston that Russia will reduce her
army IL the rest of Europe will take dis
armament seriously. but it will decline
to take the iiitiative.