READY TO HELP.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 95, 22 April 1922, Page 7

READY TO HELP.

GERMANS AT GENOA.

THE RUSSIAN TREATY.

PREPARED WEEKS AGO.

(By Cable—Press Association—Copyright.)

(Received io a.m.)

GENOA, April 21. Ormauy's .\' o te accepting expulsion troro. the first commission, dealing with Russia, states that she desires to continue to sit on the commission on all ether affairs. The Germans said that they had recognised the Soviet lon«- ago, and the treaty had been prepared for weeks. The Germans were veadv to continue to lielp the success of the conference and to re-establish relations between East and West.

A BRIGHTER OUTLOOK.

ALLIED TERMS TO RUSSIA.

WRITING DOWN WAR DEBTS. ißecelvefl 1.30 p.ni.i GENOA, April 21. As Mr. Lloyd tieorge predicted, yesterday, the Russian reply enables the subcommittee of the First Commission to begin its labours. The Germans also officially confirmed the Prime Minister's statement, so that the outlook for a successful outcome has materially brightened. The points which the Allied Governments laid down at the informal conversations which the Russians -.felt, impelled to refer to Moscow, were:-—'' (1) The Allied Governments cannot admit any liability in regard to the claims advanced by the Soviet Government.

(2) In view of the serious economic condition of Russia its creditor Governments are prepared to write down the war debts owing by Russia by a percentage which shall be determined later.

They were prepared -to consider not only .the postponement of interest payments upon financial claims, but also remission of some part of the arrears of interest or, postponed interest. It must, however, be definitely agreed that there can be.no allowance to the Soviet Government against either the debts of or the financial obligations due to foreign nationals with regard to the return of property and compensation for damage or loss. The Russians, in reply, Btate that they are still of opinion that the present economic position of Russia should fully justify the complete release of Russia, from all her liabilities mentioned in the Allies' proposals by .reason of her counter claims

However, the Russian delegation was prepared .to make a further step towards a solution' and adjustment of the differences by accepting the points laid down, provided adequate financial help were given her to recover from her present economic state. If this were done she was willing to restore any property nationalised or withheld, or where this was impossible to otherwise satisfy their -claims. Foreign financial help' was ' absolutely essential for economic reconstruction. Without it the Russian delegation was unable to see its •way' to saddle' the country with debts which it could not discharge. Further, the Russian Government could not admit the liability for its predecessors' liabilities until formally recognised by the Powers concerned.

This message was signed by M. Tchiteherin, Soviet Foreign Commissary. When the Russian reply was received first the cub-committee informally considered it, and it was generally accepted ac a hopeful basis upon which discussion could be based. A committee of expert* was immediately appointed to investigate the details, consisting of one expert from each of the five chief Powers, one from neutrals, and one representing the Little Entente. It may be regarded as certain that the main controversy will centre on compensation to nationals for property, confiscated or destroyed, because it raises the question of interference with the internal policy. Nationalisation was the slogan of the revolutionary policy, and the Soviet cannot 'well be expected to depart from it.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.)