GENOA CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 17953, 26 April 1922, Page 7

GENOA CONFERENCE

POIHCARE'S DETEBMINATIOH. NO CONCESSIONS. Frees Aeaoemtion— By T«l*!!raph—Copyright ■ PARIS, April 24. M. Poincare, in addressing the Mouse Council-General, said that Franco would remain at the Genoa Conference only on condition that she was not called upon to make concessions either to Germany or to Soviet Russia. It was indispensable that the Allies should retain control of Germany's armaments. When Germany was completely disarmed' Franco wonk. gladly fellow emit. The new situation roaultiilg from the Russo-German Treaty "wos ono of thci most forniiclii-lvle sinco t-ho armietice. It must bo examined in conjunction with the Allies. France was determined to preserve everything she had gained under the Treaty of Versailles. Reuter. (Received! April 25, at 11.55 p.m.) M. Poincare eaid that France would only remain at Genoa, conditionally upon no concessions being made to Germany or to Russia. Whatever happens at Genoa, the Allies must soon examine the now situation which has been created by the Ra.pa.Uo Treaty, which constituted the most formidable problem since the armistice. Franco insisted on the execution of the Versailles Treaty, which could be obtained only by methodical action and not by precipitate acts. How imprudent French disarmament would ho after tho conclusion of tho Enpallo Treaty, which might embody a direct menace to Poland and an indirect menace to Franco. The Allies, must retain effective control of Germany's armaments and aviation. When Germany completely disarmed' France would gladly fellow suit.—A. and N.Z. Cable. FRANGT/’S LONE HAND. BRITISH PRESS COMMENT. LONDON. April 25. (Received April 26, at 12.10 a.m.) The ‘ Daily Chronicle ’ describes M. Poincare's speech as ‘'sabre rattling.” It was unfortunate both in tenor and occasion. Prance’s Allies can only repeat what they said) when France flourished the sabre at Frankfort—namely, that if Franco is going to bo a law utdo herself regarding Germany she cannot expect our further assistance. If France wants our help to enforce the treaty rights she must proceed solely on the lines of common action. Franco abandoned these .lines firstly at Frankfort, and secondly when she made tho treacherous Angora Treaty. If she tries a third such departure. British willingness to co-operate can scarcely survive it. The ‘Daily News’ says: “France appears to have catered the conference with the deliberate intention of smashing it or of undermining it. There is every reason to suppose that the second device nearly succeeded, and the first may lie accomplished' at any moment. The ill-advised Eapallo Agreement gave Poincaro a priceless opportunity to attempt, to kill the conference and to frighten Britain into a now military pact with France and the Little Entente. Wo do not believe that "Mr Lloyd) George is anxious to entangle Great Britain in such an alliance or that he dare, oven if tempted.”—A. and N.Z. Gable. BRITISH OFFICIAL’S OPINION. MUCH MISREPRESENTATION. LONDON, April 24. (Received) April 26, at 12.5 a.m.) A high official who has returned from Genoa, interviewed by tho Australian Press Association, expresses the opinion that the reported 1 crisis has been much exaggerated by the Press.' ' After attending many private Commission meetings he left Genoa with tho highest hopes that valuable and permanent good towards the rehabilitation of Europe will be achieved. He declared emphatically that the reports and comments by the anti-Lloyd George Press in London consisted' daily of a- mass of misrepresentation which was grossly misleading. Air Lloyd George, was battling most strenuously, despite, temporary setbacks. This official said he was convinced that results would eventually he achieved which would rank in importance in Europe’s history with those of tho Vienna Conference following the Napoleonic Wars. The proudest fact was the manner in which all tho European nations except France looked up implicitly to Groat Britain, realising that her aims were quite disinterested. —A. and N.Z. Cable. WAITING FOR RUSSIA. FRANCE INCREASES DIFFICULTIES. LONDON, April 24. (Received April 26, at 12.10 a.m.) The Australian Press Association's correspondent at Genoa writes; “To-day may prove the conference’s critical hour. Tho Russians arc expected to make an answer before the Exports’ Committee. It hinges on the question of the recognition of her debts, with simultaneous do jure recognition of Russia. The Cannes resolution provides that the recognition of Russia’s debts is essential to the recognition of the Soviet; hut France insists on a six months’ probation period. Thu Russian delegates object to this, as it places Russia in the category of cornu native Stale assuming governmental functions for tho first time.” A highly-placed authority expressed tho belief that the Russians are willing to •adopt a reasonable attitude which, while meeting )(4o Cannes stipulations, would nob inlJict an indignity on Russia, My authority added: “If Genoa fails it will airaply place Russia in the position of a nation with which the other nations of Europe will endeavor to do business separately, and with all tho disadvantages of . excessive competition and jealousy which a common, argument would prevent. Another cloud is said to be arising on the horizon in connection with the statement which M. Poincare made in the French Chamber to-day, in which, report has it, he is endeavoring to range tho Allies either for or against the integrity of the Versailles Treaty.—A. and N.Z. Gable. RUSSIA’S ANSWER. NEW GLAIMS~ADVANCED. GENOA, April 25. (Received April 26, at 12.20 a.m.) The Russians have presented new claims, refusing to recognise war debts, demanding a moratorium of thirty years for the payment of interest on pre-war dob%, refusing to recognise the principle 0f private proprietorship in property, because the Soviet regime is one of nationalisation, and claiming all Russian property in Europe. The experts arc astounded by the' claims, and obtained an adjournment for the purpose of consulting the various Governments.—A. and N.Z. Cable. SOVIET WANTS MONEY. LONDON, April 24. Thu special correspondent of ‘ The Times 1 at tho Genoa Conference says that whan, the Expert Commission on Russian •Affairs met to-day it was expected that tho Russian 9 would submit counter-pro-posals to those contained in the report of the London Conference, but they occupied the whole hour in attempting to extract a •promise of financial assistance from tho Allies before proceeding to the discussions. They disclosed themselves at tho end of their financial tether, being reduced at present to plundering churches in their desperate endeavor to carry on until they age ablo to wheedle or bully Die Allies into giving them tho means to eke out their penurious existence a little longer. Sir- Worthington Evans, who handled the discussions firmly, made it clear that Government loans cannot be granted, and that private capltaljjsfcs ora not likely to rush

ft? where the Governments still fear to tread. Thus tho Bolshevik prospects are not rosy.—' Times.’ LORD BIRKENHEAD. AHEAD TO BRITISH AND AMERICAN PRESSMEN. GENOA, April 24. Lord Birkenhead, attired in flannels and a yachting cap, addressed British-Amoncan newspaper men. Ho said that everyone should bring a contribution, not carping criticism, to tho conference. Tho three Commissions were doing great work, which ) stultified the efforts of those who looked i for thb failure of the conference. He alj ready saw reasons for hoping Unit the late ! war 'might conceivably be really the last, i They must not regard tho Bolsheviks as fools. If they wore, they would not have retained for so long unchallenged control lof so large an area of country. The Hun- | garians denied that they had signed a i treaty with Germany, but ho believed thcro had been some discussions on the ' subject. Whatever views we had on the subject of Russian government, wo must recognise it was a commonplace of international law that every nation was entitled to its own form of government. Tho first condition to reconstruction was to bring Russia under some kind of fundamental polity so as to enable her to resume relations with other countries. Lord Birkenhead added that lie understood the Economic Commission had arrived at important recommendations regarding'the prohibition of imports which . Had hitherto hampered trading. Ho regretted that a section- of tho Press had not written a single word to aid the conference. It would do a tragedy if tho conference failed.—A. and N.Z. Gable. SIR JOSEPH COOK’S REPORT. OUTLOOK HOPEFUL. \ LONDON, April 24. Sir Joseph Cook (Australian High Commissioner), interviewed by tho Australian Press Association at Genoa, said that tho conference had made good progress during the last fortnight, though there had been many interruptions and crises. Almost every clay brought some surprise. “ Europe is still nervc-rackcd,” said Sir Joseph Cook, “and the diplomatic machinery work's on the highest gear, the slightest intrusion causing trouble. Besides, it is easy to put grit into the machinery, thus causing trouble, and it is to be feared that those' who do not love the conference are inconveniently at large. It says much for the conference’s spirit that these obstacles have been moved- firmly and promptly out of the way: but they take time, and try the temper and- consume the energies of tho principals. Nevertheless, the whole front moves forward. Already several supremely important objectives are in sight. I would rather not specify them at the moment further than to say that they promise a. firmer and better peace, firmer andi steadier exchanges, and sounder business throughout Europe. It is essentially a. business and 1 not a. talking conference. There is a little less limelight than on some previous occasions, but more concentrated 1 searchlight is thus thrown on the things that really matter in the world’s life and progress.”— A. and N.Z. Gable. FRANCE’S THREAT. LONDON, April 25. (Received April 26, at 9.5 a.m.) The Genoa correspondent of the Central News states that tho French delegation declares that they will press for a'fortyeight hours’ ultimatum to Russia, otherwise they will leave tho conference. In the_event of France withdrawing the other Allies will continue the discussion.—A. and N.Z. Cable.