The New York herald., 1922-02-03
BOLSHEVIKI SEEKING
FRIENDSIN EUROPE
Radek's Visit Considered in
Berlin as Approach to
France.
COURTING GERMANY TOO
MoscOw's Preparations for
Genoa. However, Cause Dis
quietude in Berlin.
COURTING GERMANY TOO
BY RAYMOND SWING.

ssecioi Cable to THE New YoRK HERALD
Copyright, 1899 by TIE New YosK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Berlin. Feb. 2.
The remittance OF Russia into active
European politics sent the political
barometer in Berlin to low point last
week. but German political circles are
beginning to regain their equanimity.
Reports OF negotiations between Karl
Radek. representing the Russian Boil
shevist Government. and the French
stated that Radek came to Germany ac-
companied from the frontier to Berlin
by two French officers and then was
taken in a motor car to Dusseldorf,
where he met French emissaries from
Paris. He was in England last De-
cember. but was said to have met with
no great success there.
In an interview Radek gave to the
corresponding Of THE NEW YORK HERALD
there was ground for the belief that
Russia and France were close to an
understanding and that the Russian
Government was not averse to carrying
out suggestion to recognize the Ver-
sailles treaty and make its own repara-
tion claims against Germany. A Franco
Russian agreement seemed not only pos
sible but was said to be an actuality,
as logical outcome of Premier Poin-
cares challenge to England.
France. IL was said. was either to
share world power equally with Eng
land or go in for so-called isolation
with Russia as her ally and with the
political partnership extending across
the European continent through Siberia
and embracing japan.
Russia Seeking Friends.
German Republicans were much wor-
red at first but they have calmed down
and opinion now is that any agreement
between Russia and France, IL 1t does
come to pass. will not be the result OF
French solicitation but of Russian.
The Russians have to find friend
somewhere, and they are voting for
France" said q leading German states
man. They will WOO the British. the
Germans and the Americans. They
need to attach themselves somewhere.
and they are too weak to bring any
immediate change in to-day's constella-
tion. The significance in any alliance
they make is not in what in brings to-
day but the result OF 1t In ten or
cred her power"
An arrangement by which Russia
would demand reparations OF Germany
and obtain payment in goods and then
raise an International credit which
would meet the Czarist debt to France
Is not regarded as very practical
one here. Unless the French expect
to get their cash from Russia instead
of from Germany it amounts. in German
opinion. to more theoretical settlement.
Eor IL the Germans. as they say. are
unable to pay the present reparations
claims against them. they ask how they
can pay larger ones? II It Is Frances
intention to look to Russia instead of
to Germany for cash. then, the Ger
mans argue. it would be foolish to in
vest capital IN a broken down country.
instead of in the we'll equipped Industrial
apparatus which Germany possesses II
France, they say, does not need cash
to-day and is willing to wait for Rus
sia to recover. then she does not need
cash from Germany immcd cdiately ana
French politics are not consistent.
Playing on Both Sides.
II was the economic aspects OF the
reported Franco-Russian agreement
that brought the Germans most OF their
CoHlioTt. Anu aIter RACK conferred
with leading Germans, among them
Hugo SHINES and DR.. Walter Rathenau,
who has just been named Foreign Min
ister the idea got abroad here that
the Soviet Government was playing as
much for a German alliance as she
was courting England when Moscow let
IT be known II was negotiating with
the French.
The activities OF the Soviet leaders
In preparation for the forthcoming
Genoa conference, however. have given
new significance to the conference for
the Germans. and they do not hide
their disquietude over reports that
America will not be represented there
Since President Harding's anticipate
announcement Of the American refusal
10 attend the meeting has not been
received. II is assumed here that
pressure is being brought to bear on
Washington and that the effect of Rus
sia's remittance into European politics
n being carefully weighed there. 1t is
the common hope in Germany that the
United States will be at the conference,
as 1t Is felt here that the potentialities
of danger to Germany this time are
mn IN mi fauf II.