Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-05-07

allied powers.
Prime Minister Lloyd George,
Of Great Britain, and Vice Premier
Barthou, of France, held a confer
ence at o'clock Saturday afternoon,
after which it was stated that their
strained situation of the economic con-
ference. Nothing will be decided de-
finitely, however, it was stated, pend
ing Russia's reply to the allied memo
randum.
Reuters correspondent here says:
The final Russian decision is Dot
expected before Monday or Tuesday.
Meanwhile it is rumored that Prime
Minister Lloyd Georges train is ready
and that, failing a favorable change in
the situation as the result of NJ.
Barthou's return, Mr.. Lloyd George,
will return to London forthwith.
Gravest Crisis Thus Far
The most critical stage of the con-
ference was reported arising through
the differences in the ranks of the
allied delegates over the memorandum
to Russia and the attitude of the
Russians themselves, it was declared
by an official spokesman.
This crisis" he said. is more grave
than the one the conference sustain
ed after the signing of the Russo
German treaty on Easter Sunday.
THE Russians ask billions and bill
lions of gold francs and they do not
ask them in the form of credits with
which they can buy goods. but in cash
in gold"
Soviets Want Vast Sum
Asked whether the Russian demands
to as much as 5000, 100000
gold francs the official spokesman re-
piled:
Il wish it were only a matter of
;. .000, 900, 900. 1t is far more. far more"
The difficulties confronting the con-
ference, he said. were twofold. On the
one hand. there was the difficulty of
the Belgians that they
should accept the clauses of the memo
randum sent to the Russians. and on
the other there was the difficulty of
getting the Russians to accept them
But the task of convincing the Rus
sians," he said, "is far more difficult"
The official spokesman said Russia's
of the memorandum de-
pended entirely upon whether the
powers were ready to grant the loan
asked for by the Russian delegates.
To say there is no hope left" he
said, would be an exaggeration: but
he difficulties are enormous. The con-
erence is now going through its de-
,isiye moment
Russia's reply to the allied memo
expected to be ready Sunday
n Monday, will be distinctively con-
,iliatory document. not intended to
freak off negotiations. Foreign Minis
er Tchitcherin said. 1t will, however.
lie declared. firmly state Russia's in
lbility to comply with the terms Of
cred.
The chief stumbling block. it was !
is the cause relating to the /
reatment of foreign property, nation
lized by the soviet government Rus |
ia regards the provision of that clause !
s distinct attempt to infringe on !
er sovereignty and will not accept the !
Ian for a mixed tribunal, which Nj. !
'chitcherin said would mean the esrab- !
shment of flock of little repa-
ations commissions" to interfere with |
iusia's internal affairs.
Angio-French Split Emphasized
The French narrative of Saturdays
not only shows that the |
difference is endangered. but also in
icates distinct divergence of views
etween France and England, tending
0 emphasize the differences that have
requently arisen between them during
he conference
The British premier, in his meeting
18th NJ. Barthou, refused to agree to
ny further modification of the memoir
ndum.
NJ. Barthou first saw the Italian
oreign minister, Signor Schanzer. and
Dund him busy trying to frame form
la on the question of property rights
d Russia which would satisfy every
ody and avoid a rupture of the con
arence.
Must Break As Friends
Even if break comes," Signor
chanzer is quoted by the French as
aging. there would be no reason for
elaxing the bonds of friendship which
lways have bound and must bind the
lies together
Signor Schanzer then referred to the
rovisions Of the Cannes resolutions I
nd emphasized that thsy made It clear
a y =.