The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-08
FRANCE DOES NOT SEEK ID OPPOSE
 ENGLISH PEOPLE
Vital PorbIem Is Protection of Private Property in Russia, Barthou Tells Press
 Correspondents
By Associated Press

Genoa, May 7,-If the Russians do not give categorical affirmative answer to the memorandum that has been submitted to them, France will not go on with the negotiations, and if no arrangement is made with the Russians, the non-aggression pact becomes impossible. M. Barthou, head of the French delegation to the economic conference and vice premier in the French cabinet said to the American and English newspaper correspondents today.
 NJ. Barthou himself suggested the meeting which proved of historic con sequence because the French leader emphasized repeatedly that France had sided with seIgium on a question of principle, and not because she wished to line herself up against Great Britain. The vital problem was that of protection of the property in Russia of foreigners. and trance De- lieved that Belgium was nearer the truth in treating this important Ques- tion.
 France. Nj. Barthou declared. desired only to maintain always her long time friendship and unlon with Eng land. His initial request that Ques- tions be put to him on the status of the conference met with no response. which brought the pleasantly. Gen tlemen, your silence Is no helpful" lie continued: Then let me say what is in my mind frankly and openly. and do not forget that my worus are carefully chosen, and that speak as the chief representative of the French government. We have been here month. Some newspapers-and l am not referring especially to American or English seemed to doubt the sin cerity Of France and seemed also to doubt the sentiments with which we came to Genoa. But we have colab orated in every possible way. France gave proof of her good will and loy atty and continually made conces- sions so that the conference could go on-
 Attitude Approved
 At the outset We had semi official conversations with the Russians at Mir. Lloyd Georges villa, and my atti- tude was approved by the French government. Then came the sensa- tional disclosure of the Russo Ger man separate treaty. You know how everybody felt about that.
 'lf France, as alleged by some. possessed secret or sinister intentions. that was her opportunnity to wreck the conference. While we were sit- ting unofficially with the Russian delegations and meeting them off cially around the tables of the cofn- mission on Russian affairs. we were struck in the back. Had we left the conference. then and there, had we wrecked 1t, I believe there are few people in the United States or England who would have blamed us. Yet, de- spite this blow from behind. we con tinued Loyalty with the work. Notn- ing could have better shown our good intentions"
 The foreign minister then traced the events of the past week and explained how the question of the pre-war debts was satisfactorily set tied by the memorandum of the pow CTS to Russia and how the problem of the war debts was also arranged. MT. Lloyd George had given his consent. provided an agreement were reached on the question of private property.
 Belgium never liked our treatment of this problem in the memorandum" continued M. Barthou T had 1t amended so that 1t conformed more with the Cannes resolutions. Then I went to Paris and found great ex- citement there among the public and our parliamentary commissions were united in holding that Belgium's ob- jection was justified, because even the amendment text was not cate gorical enough on the question of foreign property. I was instructed to support Belgium's cause but that does not mean we have chosen from among our friends. We have taken sides merely on the question of principle. There Is no suggestion of preference as concerns England pr Belgium"