A STRAINED FEELING

Evening Star, Issue 19549, 6 May 1927, Page 11

A STRAINED FEELING

THE ECONOMIC CONFERENCE H. LOUGHEUR'S ATTITUDE -■■■ i Prcsa Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. GENEVA, May 4. Although prior to the opening of the ‘ Economic Conference there appeared to j be perfect unanimity between the Euro-, pean nations on-the main points of discussion and procedure, there now seems to be a slight rift, and efforts are being made to prevent France from obtaining a controlling influence on the deliberations and decisions of the conference. There ■is much discussion in the lohbies on M. Louch6ur*s attitude. It wui, be remembered that the conference is ' being held at his suggestion, made at the last assembly of the League of Nations. • It is understood that he desired appointment as rapporteur-general of ; the conference. He approached the President (M. Theunis) to-day with the | request, and backed up his claim by a threat to withdraw from the conference unless it was conceded. According to stories in official ’ circles M. Theunis indicated that M. Louchenr s appointment would be unacceptable, and ho would accept his resignation. Intermediaries. however, put the matter right by arranging that M Louchenr should be nominated as vice-president. The matter has, however, left a rather strained feeling.

CONFERENCE OPENS

PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. RUSSIAN DELEGATION ARRIVES. GENEVA, May 5. M. Theunis, in opening the conference, drew . attention to the interdependence of nations, emphasising that in every situation - a measure affecting the economic life of one nation or group of nations affected all. He outlined the obstacles to the solution of the existing economic . situation, and declared that the conference was laying the first stone of a structure lo •eonod jo osnno oq'). pun juiaueS eqj OAjas The Russian delegation arrived, and alighted at Bellevue, three .miles distant from tbe central station, motor-1 ing to the Hotel d’Angleterre, where they engaged a whole floor. The delegation objected to detraining at Bellevue until the police, _who had made elaborate precautions, pointed out the difficulty of the surveillance of the large crowds gathered at the central station.