New-York tribune., 1922-04-11
By Arthur S. Draper


by Arthur y, draper
Spcc.'' "2D'c 10 Tlc Tribune
Copvright i1ea New York Tribune Inc
GENOA. April Proposals for
4 genera limitation Of European
armaments, launched to-day al the
opening Of the Genoa economic con
ference by Georg Tchitcherin, Rus
sian Bolehevik Foreign Minister.
were wrecked by the opposition Of
France when Louis Barthou. chief
of the Paris delegation. declared in
protest that the question was out
side of the conference agenda.
An impasse might have been
reached bad the question been forced
to an issue, but Premier Facta, Of
Italy. who had earlier been chosen
president of the conference. inter
Vened. and after the appointment Of
four commissions to handle confer
ence affairs, adjourned the gather
ing. No further public sessions will
be held for several days.
The open break between the Rus
slams and French came at the close
Of long day of speeches Premier
Facta, of Italy, chairman. had re-
minded the delegates that they were
meeting on common ground for the
settlement of gigantic economic
problems.
Revision of League Asked
Premier Lloyd George Of Great
Britain had appealed in keynote
speech for realization of world
peace above all else. Then Tchitch-
erin, in a low voice scarcely audible
through the hall, proposed the dis
cussion Of reduction Of armies at
this conference, new gathering f
all nations in which workers would
be represented, and the revision of
the League of Nations on basis
that would admit all peoples on
equal terms, with no distinction be-
tween conquerors and vanuuished.
Barthou was on his feet quickly
IN protest. He denounced the Boil
shevlk triple proposal as beyond the
scope Of the conference and there
fore out OF order. He declared that
. France would not discuss disarma-
ment at this gathering under any
circumstances. and ne insisted that
She Russians, admitted TO Genoa on
probation, already were interjecting
into the discussion sui Gets which
had been specifically barred.
In broaching the reduction or arms-
n1ent proposals. Tchitcharin announced
hat Russia was perfectly willing to cut
the size Of its army on two conditions:
that the security Of the Bo!sheviki
against foreign aggression be guaran-
teed, and that a reduction of military
establishments be mcde s!muitareous-
ly hy all the powers.
Wonla Ear Barbarous Warfare
Russia" he said "intends 20 pro-
rose general limitation OF armaments
and to undertake all measures likely 70
alleviate military burdens on the con-
dition that this limitation applies to
the armies Of all countries and tha,
/ the rules of warfare are revised to
exclude the present barbarous
| methods
! The Russian proposals formed the
| climax Of The first session Premier
| Lloyd George had held the center OF
the stage during the early hours o.
! the sitting. with al the delegates of
! thirty-four rations looking 20 him for
/ leadership. His speech was a ringing
/ plea for peace. the most powerful one
made on that line by any Allied states
man since the war. And although more
! than half his audience could not un-
) derstand the language Of the speaker,
| Lloyd George by marvellous eloquence
and cleverness held his audience
/ throughout.
This is the greatest assembly Of
European aations ever gathered to-
! gether in the whole history of the Com
t!nent, the British Premier began.
The achievements Of this gathering
will have q far-reaching effect for bet
ter or FOR worse upon the destiny OF
! Europe. We meet here on absolutely
equal terms, provided we all ACCEPT
equal conditions. We are not here As
! allies or as representatives of mon
arches. REPUBLICS or soviets, but az
equals"
! Cannes Conditions Upheld
That was the gist of theme devel-
oped at length. As he proceeded the
British spokesman warmed to his task
and became more expansive, moro con.
ciiiatory and more confident. The fac,
that the Cannes conditions were sery.
ing as the basis Of the conference ana
that acceptance OF the invitations te
the gathering was equivalent to accept.