Evening star., 1923-12-31
SOVIET RECOGNITION
By FRANCE LOOMING
Moscow Reported to Have Accepted
Paris Basis for Nego-
= tiations.
POLAND IS LEFT ISOLATED
Military Pact With Czechs Alarms
Warsaw.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

Hy Radio to The Star and the Chicago Daily
News. Copyright. 1929.
BERLIN, December 31.-The excite
ment which prevailed Friday and
Saturday in German official circles
was due less to the announcement of
signature of military convention
between France and Czechoslovakia
than to the fact that soviet and
French Pourparlers have reached the
stage where Russian and French
treaty is considered only "a question
of weeks.
According TO informants in close
touch with the Berlin soviet delega-
tion, discussions have Been going on
between Krestinsky, the soviet repre-
sentative here, and Margerie. the
French ambassador, since November
16, when Margerie informed Krestin-
sky that France vas willing to rec
ognize the soviets as the legal gov
ernment of Russia and was ready to
facilitate the floating of a substan-
tIal loan in the Paris market in ex-
change for the following: First, rec
oSnltIon by the soviets of all pre-
war and war debts, the amounts to be
established by a mixed mission; Sec
ohd, that no communist propaganda
he circulated in France and third
recognition of private property in
RUSSIA, at least as far as foreigners
were concerned.
Favored in Moscow.
According to German sources. these
terms were transmitted to Moscow
and, to everybody's great astonish-
1nent, krestinsky was instructed last
tn fAl he
these terms may form the basis of
discussions. According to the same
sources, simultaneously with politi-
cal pourparlers, discussions were en-
gagged between the soviets and a
French Belgian company for the con-
cession of immense coal and other
mines in the Donetz basin.
Before the war the French COM
in that district but was compelled to
abandon the work when the soviet
regime was established in Russia.
Now a company has been formed with
ers of Krivoy Fog and it is engaged
in discussions with the soviets for
what is called the most important
concessions the soviets ever granted.
May Return Concessions.
1t is question of returning to
the company all pre-war concessions
and the soviet's participation should
be reduced only to giving it pref
erential price over other competi-
tors i'll purchasing raw or finished
products from the company.
When the correspondent pointed out
TO German officials as well as mem
bers of the communist party that
such treaty was preposterous since
it would mean the negation of all
the principles for which so much
blood had been shed, it was main
tanned that both sources of informa-
tion were absolutely correct.
1t Is argued in German official cir
cles that France realizes that as soon
as the new government comes into
office in England, be it labor or
liberal. the first act will be to Off
cially recognize the soviets. On the
other hand, it is known that Italy
will recognize Russia within the next
few months.
Seeks 70 be First.
In order to forestall her former
allies and obtain better terms. France
has decided to recognize the boil
shevist regime as soon as possible.
AS for Russia, German communists
assert that even now the soviets con-
slider treaties scraps of papers. 1t is
essential, however, for the MOSCOW
government to obtain first French
recognition, for two important rea
sons
One is that they realize that the
only important European factor for
Russia's development is Great Britain
and in the coming discussions with
that country they want to have trump
cards in hand. Recognition by France,
the bittereSt enemy of the Sovfets,
would give them an immense advan-
tage over the English and for that
reason it is probable that the soviets
may accept partially the French
terms.
War With Poland.
The other reason, according to
Scandinavian German communists
very recently returned from Russia.
is that there is d strong desire in
that country to settle the still ex-
listing misunderstanding with Poland
by arms without involving other
western nations. For that reason it
is believed that Russia is willing to
secure, at a price, Frances neutral
ity.
Official announcement of the Czecho-
slovak French military convention
caused considerable excitement in To-
cal Polish quarters. Czechoslovakia,
whose unfriendly feelings toward Po-
land are well known, is considered a
bridge toward Russian French un-
derstanding, eventually, at Poland's
expense. Polish newspapers reaching
Berlin today are unanimous in. stat
ing that the convention isolates Po-
land completely, leaving her to the
mercy of her. enemies since Frances
attitude indicates that she is going
to withdraw her protection from the
young state.