FIGHTING FOR PEACE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 87, 12 April 1922, Page 5

FIGHTING FOR PEACE.

AT GENOA CONFERENCE LLOYD GEORGE'S SPEECH. LAND DISARMAMENT ISSUE. RAISED BY RUSSIA. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright) j GENOA, April 10. When the international conference summoned by the Allied Powers to consider | the economic reconstruction of Europe I was opened to-day in the Palazzo di San Giorgio, the Prime Minister of Italy, Signer Facta, presided, and delivered the inaugural speech. Mr. Lloyd George iollowed. Though occasionally lie seemed a tired man, his speech was a great effort, recalling that at Paris after hie return from Rapallo in 1917. Mr. Lloyd George, lighting for the cause of pence with the zest of a crusader, electrified the conference. His best point was a reference to the "snarling that still goes on in Europe."' which he delivered with much forcefulness. The sensation of the session was an encounter between 3T. Tehitcherin, the chief Russian delegate, and M. Barthou. the chief French delegate. Directly the Kussian suggested land disarmament, AL Barthou jumped up and declared that France absolutely and categorically refused to discuss disarmament. Mr. Lloyd George intervened, but M. Barthou again became angry when Mr. Lloyd George said that disarmament must be ultimately discussed. M. Tchitcherin reminded M. Barthou that M. Briand discussed disarmament at the Washington Conference. M. Barthou retorted: "The Cannes agreement .is that disarmament shall I not be discussed here." A NERVE-ROiNED CONTINENT. .Mr. Lloyd George in the course of his speech said: — "It is good to study currency, exchanges, transport, and credit, but if real peace becomes the issue of this conference all those will be added unto you. It is true that actual fighting < has ceased, but snarling goes on. Europe is deafened by the canine clamour. It is undignified. It rattles the nerves of a nerve-ruined continent. We shall only make a real contribution to the restoration of Europe if the conference can stop that snarling. "I regret that the United States is not represented, but if we can set things right the United States will come in gladly. If we fail a sense of despair will sweep over the world. If we succeed a ray of confidence will illuminate the gloom that is now resting pn the spirit of mankind." Following. Mr. Lloyd George, M. Barthou said: "I bring to this conference; the loyal co-operation of France. The world is tired with vain words end solemn declarations. We are here for, action, and do not disguise the difficulties of our task, but faith alone will save the world. France claims no hegemony. The war has cost her too much. She is wholly and resolutely for peace." He concluded th*t the Genoa Conference would not be a Court of Appeal, where existing treaties would be judged and revised. . CONCILIATORY GERMANS. Dr. Wirth, German Chancellor, in a conciliatory address, said that Germany,' who was abiding loyally by the Cannes resolutions, was one pf Europe's eick countries, which had come to heal their wounds. She would work loyally. The world must abandon the spirit of distrust, which was hindering Germany's recovery. The economic and financial .leaders should always have the final word at the conference. '""We promise co-operation.' , he" concluded. "That is all we can do." M. Tchitcherin s aid that the Russiane did not desire to make propaganda, but to collaborate, They accepted the principle of the Cannes resolutions, noting their reciprocity. ' Russia's economic proposals might even exceed those of the Cannes Conference. She was ready to disarm if she was assured against attack. Russia finally would propose the calling of a universal conference, which wpuld offer even a larger basis than the League of Nations. M. Barthou spoke again in reply to M. Tchitcherin, repeating thftt France would not permit the raising of the disarmament, question. AL_ Tchitcherin then attempted to discuss" the Ukraine. Signor"-Facta declared ihe incident closed, but M. Barthou stormily declared: "The incident cannot close in ambiguity." Signor Faeta replied: "There is no nmbiguity. All present accept the Cannes resolution j '-as the basis of the conference." M. Barthou insisted on having the last word, and dramatically protested that the Russians had abandoned the Cannes resolutions. The representative of the Australian nnd New Zealand Press Association at Genoa states that the city is an armed camp. This environment* of a conference that has peace for its aim is mainly due to the presence of the Russian delegates and fears that turbulent elements might demonstrate againet the Bolgheviks. MORE LIVELY EXCHANGES. RUSSIAN OBJECTIONS. < Received 10.30 a.m.i GENOA, April 11. Further lively exchanges occurred between M. Tchitcnerin, the Soviet Foreign Commissary, and M. Barthou. French Foreign Minister. M. Tchitcherin objected to the presence of Rumania and Japan, the former owing to her occupation of Bessarabitt. Viscount lehii replied that Japan stays whatever M. T.chitcherin likes or dislikes. The Berlin newspapers pay a tribute to Mr. Lloyd George's remarkable diplomatic ability in restoring peace at the conference.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) RIGHT OF THE DOMINIONS. VOTE AS SEPARATE ENTITIES. (Received 1.80 p.m.) LONDON, April 11. The Australian Press Associations Genoa correspondent states that after v. strenuous fight by Sir. Joseph Cook and Sir E. H. Walton (High Comniissionei for South Africa), the Dominions' righi ito vote ac independent entities was i conceded. Similar recognition on Cue Finance Commission was also conceded.-