CRISIS AT GENOA.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 97, 26 April 1922, Page 5

CRISIS AT GENOA.

ROSSO-GERMAN PACT. FRANCE WANTS ACTION

MAY WRECK ENTENTE. READY TO ACT ALONETO ENFORCE PEACE TERMS. ••BRINK OF THE PRECIPICE." (By Cai'lc- Tress Association—Copyright.) (Received 11.SO ti.iu.j LONDON", April 10. Mr. Lloyd George has authorised the traneniUriim of the following appeal to the Briti.-h public: "Do not accept statements appearing in the "Times' or the 'Daily Mail' regarding the conference! until I have the opportunity of dealing with them in Parliament. M. Poineare's speech is a most serious declaration, made without consultation of the Allies. It is not calculated to improve the cooperation of the Allies: it has nothing to do with the Genoa. Conference, but French opinion is being inflamed by misjtatements alleging that the British are pursuing a policy of secret talks. Our policy is that we have no quarrel with the Kussian people: we do not fear the German-Russian menace, but are determined to prevent Europe again becoming s shambles. We want to adopt an open and humane policy. The attitude of the delegates towards a settlement makes the work difficult: we cannot continue to bargain."

The correspondent of the Australian 1 and New Zealand Press Association at Genoa says that M. Poincare's speech is regarded as a serious declaration, especially as it was made without consultation with the Allies. All M. Poincare said about co-operation of the Allies is cordially endorsed by the British Government: the only comment of the moment is that the French declaration to take action in certain eventualities, whether the Allies act or not; is an odd •way of showing co-operation. Undoubtedly French opinion is anxious over the Russo-German agreement, and that is reacting at the Genoa Conference. French opinion is apparently convinced that the agreement is the outcome of the Genoa Conference; that feeling is being fostered by serious mis-state-ments in the French and English Press indicating that Britain was negotiating with Russia without consulting France.

The Paris newspapers generally acclaim M. Poincare's speech. No'paper, of whatever party, advocates that France should take action alone, and the desire is expressed that if action be necessary France should be supported by all her Allies, but if that be impossible France must act alone and vigorously.

The Paris "Journal" points out that twice within 24 hours the impossibility of maintaining the Entente has been referred to, attesting the seriousness of the situation. On Sunday Mr. Lloyd George threatened to abandon France: yesterday M. Poincare questioned whether France and Britain could continue to walk hand in hand. He did this loyally in order to warn the Allies and bring France to concert pitch. "La Victoire" says that M. Poincare's speech means that the victors should apply the treaty to the vanquished; only when the latter submit can we be real fripnds.

The "Figa.ro" says that France remained at Genoa in spite of difficulties where rupture was her right, perhaps her duty- France thus reached the ! brink of the precipice. M. Poincare l stood, for national reparation, and the chief obstacle was the bad will of the Allies, who must, however, realise that France •will act under the instinct of eelf-preservation. Pertinas, the well known publicist, writing in the "Echo de Paris," said: "Do not let us be intimidated in the matter of isolation; the worst isolation has already been felt by Uβ here in Genoa."

The "Temps"' says: "France must defend the peace, defend alliances, and defend treaties, even :t « has to act ulone. May her action be everywhere understood."—(A. and N.Z. Cable.)'

FRANCE SUGGESTS ULTIMATUM

MAY LEAVE THE CONFERENCE. h : (Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON 7 , April 25. Tlip Central News Genoa, correspondent says that the French delegation ; ,a; declare i that it will press for a. iorty-eight 4i>nrs' ultimatti.e to Russia, otherwise it will leave the Conference. Tn the event of France withdrawing the other allies will continue the discussion..— (A. and N.Z. Cable.) EUROPE'S SOLIDARITY. THE ONLY BASIS. (Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON. April 25. The •■Times" special representative at the Genoa Conference says that the present situation confirms the axiom that the only basis of European solidarity is a firm reciprocal Anglo-French agreement, flanked by a similar AngloBelgian agreement. The latter exists! already, but it is necessary for the maintenance of peace in South-eastern Europe that the Little Entente accept responsibility for it with express AngloFrench sanction. Military ( and naval sanctions are not contemplated, but political, moral, and economic support. The correspondent adds: "The policy of Ihe Little Entente is non-aggressive and conservative.'"—(/"Times.")

RTJSSO-HtINGARIAN TREATY. LONDON, April 25. The Australian and New Zealand Pie?s Association's representative at Onoa states that it is unofficially reported that a Russo-Hungarian treaty was signed on Saturday creating a block between Poland and the Little Entente. The Hungarians deny having signed a treaty with Germany, hut it- is believed there have been discussions on the eub4ect.—JA. and £$b|c.}. .*,!&&'*&&.,,