We have described in our leading columns the first breeze
of the Conference. We may add that on the second day that the Commissions met there was a renewal of irritation because of the Russian claims. The Russians have been long out of the comity of nations, and they seem intent upon making up for the lost time by what they would no doubt call spirited protests. In No. 1 Commission, that which has to deal with the self-denying ordinance of the nations, which would abro- gate the divine right of attacking each other, M. Chicherin protested vigorously against the representation of Rumania and Japan on the Sub-Committee, since they had purloined Russian provinces. This at once led to the Rumanian delegate declaring (which, of course, is historically true) that Bessarabia was entirely Rumanian. Viscount Ishii, the Japanese repre- sentative, quietly but firmly declared that he intended to be present whether the Bolsheviks liked it or not. Finally, the
President over-ruled M. Chicherin's objections. We may add here that M. Chicherin's speech seems to have created a somewhat unpleasant imprdesion.
