LLOYD GEORGE

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 4576, 29 April 1922, Page 2

LLOYD GEORGE

EFFECT OF HIS GENOA SPEECH. "WILL ANYONE DECLARE HE IS WRONG? VERSAILLES TREATY WILL NOT STAND. ENGLISH PRESS COMMENTS. (By Electric Cable —Copyright.) (Aust. and N.Z. Ca-bla Association. London, April 28. Mr Lloyd George's spoecli has had a mixed reception from the Press. The Westminster Gazette- declares that the Treaty of Versailles cannot stand enforcement. It might defer the xiso of Russia and Germany, but! could not permanently keep them in subjection. That is what Mr Lloyd George means when he says: "If a pact of peace is not arranged, Europe will again be plunged in a welter of' blood. That is why we are compelled to tell France that wo must steadfastly oppose her proposed policy." The Morning Post supports the French attitude. It says the Treaty of Versailles is an instrument of liu man liberty, sanctified by the blood of millions of upright men. The Daily Mail says the way to make an ultimate catastrophe certaii is to badger, torment, blackmail, and invade Germany, and to insult, ostracise and bully Russia. The Daily Express says: Mr Lloyd George's views embody the opinion? of all the most sane of his countrymen. The Daily Telegraph says: "It is a terrible utterance to come from v statesman at the centre of International affairs, who has been feeling the pulse of our common civilisation. Will anyone declare that ho is wrong?"

FRANCE STANDS FIRM. Paris, April 28. M. Poincare definitely states that ho cannot accept the suggestion that reparations question be examined fundamentally at Genoa by the InterAllied Commission, and all the more so because the Reparations Commission is dealing with the matter and as it would not bo possible to accuse Germany of violating the Treaty until after May 31, his acceptance would only have the effect of prejudicing the work of the Commission, which alone can consider the necessary measures. THE PRESENT OUTLOOK. Genoa, April 28. It is stated that if M. Poincare refuses to come to Genoa, the Allies are prepared to meet without him. Herr Ratheneaii declares that Germany will willingly enter into a pact of peace. It is authoritatively stated that Mr Lloyd George is determined to open all questions of reparations at a meeting of Versailles signatories. Apropos of the Russian attitude, M. Tchitchorin states it is impossible to surrender on the question of the payment of private debts when Bourgeois Governments not participating in the Conference are not disposed-to concede the principle. Hence the failure of the Conference seems inevitable. It is being stated that there is a possibility that the Russians will meet with Italian views and submit the Allies' demand to Russian public op.nion, returning for another conference in two or three months. Paris. April 28. Advices from Genoa state that the Russian delegation had dinner with the German delegates. The tenor of the speeches has not transpired. Numbers of police were present.

STANDS BY POINCARE. Paris, April 28. Cabinet has telegraphed to M. Barthou. agreeing with the delegation's atittude, and instructing it to stand by the Cannes resolution and closely follow M. Poincarc's policy towards the Soviet. CUSTOMS CO-ORDINATION. London, April 27. The Australian Press Association's Genoa correspondent states that the sub-committee dealing, with Customs has nearly completed its task. It aims at co-ordinating icgulations throughout the world and introducing a common commercial terminology in customs documents. The sub-committee on economics is developing a scheme to abolish double income tax.

ALLIES' NOTE TO RUSSIA. London, April 27. Satisfactory progress has becin made in drafting a note to the Russians. Some papers continue to describe the note as an ultimatum. It is nothing of the kind, and is merely intended as an exhortation to the Soviet to hasten proceedings. GERMANY AND RUSSIA. London, April 27. The German Embassy in London has issued an emphatic denial of rumours that secret negotiations are proceeding with a view to the conclusion of a Russo-Germau military treaty, under which, it is alleged, Germany would man Russian warships and train Red armies. The Australian Press Association's Genoa correspondent; states that the Russians are awaiting the Allies' note on the first seven points of the experts' report. They state they have not the slightest intention of breaking the pourparlers, but are firmly determined to maintain sovereign rights and contend that the Soviet alone remains faithful to the essentials of the Cannes agreement. No reply has yet been received from Paris relative to a meeting of the Versailles Treaty signatories. It is expected that the plenary session next week will deal with the reports of the second, third and fourth Commissions. LLOYD GEORGE PLEASES THE GERMANS. The Germans are delighted at Mr Lloyd George's speech, declaring it the best exposition of the European situation yet made. FEELING AT GENOA. SENSE OF DEPRESSION. (Received April 29, 9a.m.) London, April 28. The Australian Press Association's Genoa correspondent says there is an indefinable sense of depression in Conference circles. This has been accentuated by the delay in preparing the Allied Note to the Soviet, coupled with Premier Poincare's attitude regarding the meeting of the Versailles signatories. CONFUSING THE ISSUE, ActSve propaganda amongst the various delegations raises confused issues. There are many rumours that the Conference is doomed to failure. BRITISH BOOST. The British delegates stoutly maintain that even without Russia and German co-operation they will carry the Conference to a- conclusion. PUSHING PEACE PACT. , . In view of the difficulties with the Moscow Soviet, it is noteworthy that the Allies are pressing on the draft of the pact of peaco, whatever the outcome of the economic situation may be.