COUNCIL OF EUROPE.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17429, 13 April 1922, Page 7

COUNCIL OF EUROPE.

PROCEEDINGS AT GENOA CONFERENCE. SETTLING DOWN TO WORK. PROBLEMS TO BE PACED. 'By C&bls—Press Association—Copyright.) (Australia's and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received April 12th, 9.15 p.m.) GENOA, April 11. The Genoa. Conference at the outset had four serious questions to face. Firstly, in the alignment of Powers were the victorious Allies to face their vanquished enemies? Secondly, Britain felt that if the Cannes resolutions were not acceptable it would be useless to go on. The third was one which could not be foreseen. That was that if M. Tchitcheriii (Russia) persisted in questioning the agenda ssrious results might Tie apprehended: but so far he has proved amenable to arguments. The fourth was also serious. Would the small Powers efface themselves in order to mako ismall workable sub-committees possible? They played the game. The removal of those dangers has resulted in a mora optimistic outlook. Once again Franco has committed a faux pas. AVhen M. Tchitcherin raked the question of disarmament, M. Burthen heatedly declined to agree to discuss it, thereby playing into Mr Lloyd George's 'hands. He quickly seized the situation, poured oil on the troubled waters, and established himself in tho eyes of the Conference as a peacemaker. Russia and Disarmament.

After tho exchange of politeness on Monday the first Commission, which, is dealing with tho conditions of the Cannes resolution, tho Russian question, peace questions, and tho general question of confidence among the nations, promptly got to work on Tuesday. It confined its opening deliberations to the first tlhree clauses of the Cannes resolutions. The foremost effort of the Commission is to eecuro oaace for ten or fifteen years. This would answer M. Tchitcherin's demand for disarmament. The Russian and British view is that if a pact is made, disarmament will be a necessary corollary, and any sanctions will be moral rather than legal, the assumption being that if any country broke the pact it would be treated as a pariah. There is also the-economic weapon which, with tho co-operation of the League of Nations, could bo imposed. Commissions and Sub-Committees, The British representatives on the first Commission are Mr Lloyd George and Lord Curzon. The Japanese delegates do not occupy any chairmanships,, as they regard the work of the Conference as relating more particularly to Europe. Seven nations, including Germany, have two representatives on each Commission, and the smaller nations one each. As the main Commissions will naturally be large, they will be again split up into sub-committees, on which the seven Powers will have one representative each, while tho smaller nations will elect four nations with one representative each. The latter have, therefore, elected Poland, Roumania, Sweden, and Switzerland to represent them.

.Consequent'upon the concession of independent representation to the British Dominions, a new vote for tho selection of lour representatives of the smaller nations resulted in the deposition of Spain in favour of Sweden. Another "Breeze." _ At tho session of the first Commission there were further lively exchanges between M. Barthou (France) and M. Tchitcherin. Tho latter objetted to the allotment of only oue seat to Russia, and also to the presence of Roumania, and Japan, the former owing to her. occupation of Bessarabia, and the latter owing to her presence in Siberia. Viscount Ishii replied that Japan would stay, whatever M. Tchitcherin liked or disliked. M. Tchitcherin had to withdraw his angry expressions. The friction on Monday and Tuesday created a most unfavourable impression in certain quarters, but members of the British delegation, interviewed, expressed themselves as satisfied with tho progress made and tho amicable relations that existed. Despite M. Tchitcherin's protest, they said, all was done in Ine best of good humour, and no irascibility was shown. As the work of the various Commissions is of considerabie magnitude, it is unlikely there will bo any plenary sessions or Conference until well after Easter. The display of military force is still maintained, tho Pa-lazssa Rente, whero the Commissions sit, being strongly guarded. Allied Experts' Report. Mr Lloyd George moved a motion to circulate the report of the Allied experts prepared at the London Conference. In view of its intricate character and length, M. Tchitcherin asked the sub-committee to adjourn until Thursday to enable the Russians to study the document. This was agreed to.

STATUS OF DOMINIONS. INDEPEJiTDENT VOTE CONCEDED. GENOA. Anvil 11. After a strenuous fight by Sir Cook (Australia],, and Sir Edgar Walton (South Africa), over the status of the Dominions, the right to vote as independent entities was conceded. Another Dominion delegate also pecurcd similar recognition on the Finance Commission. GERMAN TRIBUTE TO MR LLOYD GEORGE. BERLIN. April 11. The newspapers pay a tribute to Mr Lloyd George's remarkable diplomatic ability in restoring peace at tm Genoa Conference.