POWERS & RUSSIA

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 4589, 15 May 1922, Page 1

POWERS & RUSSIA

| PESSIMISM AT GENOA. TALK OF ADJOURNING THE CONFERENCE. EFFORTS FOR A TRUCE. | (By Electric Tekvapn.—Copyright ! (Aust.-N.Z. Cable Association.) London, May 12. The Australian Press Association’s Genoa correspondent, states that the Russian reply produced something akin to pessimism. it is felt that the Conference has outlived its usefulness and that tho effort suggested by the British to endeavour to secure a truce is merely to prevent tho Conference being an entire failure. The Russian suggestion that foreign capitalists have not hesitated to invest capital in Russia encourages her in the belief that when tho Conference terminates, whatever the result, there arc groups of financins and commercial men waiting to exploit her resources. This, together with tho agreements made with Germany and others, fortifies her against the demands of the Allied political groups. If the truce can be accomplished, the Conference will probably adjourn and reassemble at a future date at a place not yet named. It is understood that France has no objection to a truce, but may raise the Questions of sanctions, to make it eelfetive. LLOYD GEORGE AND THE NEUTRALS. ' Gonoa, May 12. Mr Lloyd George lunched with the delegates representing Norway, Sweden, Rouniania, Switzerland and Japan, and assured himself of the general approval 'by neutrals of his scheme for dealing with Russia. This includes the setting up of three mixed commissions, dealing with debts, private property and credit. He hopes the debts commission will get to work at Genoa. BRITAIN AND FRANCE. GETTING TOGETHER AGAIN. Genoa, May 14. When tho sub-Commission resumed it was announced that conversations between Mr Lloyd George and M. Barthou had progressed satisfactorily, and a compromise was likely. They will meet again to-morrow to continue the conversations. Representatives of tho other Powers liavo expressed their opinions on the proposed truce. Baron Ish.i said he regarded the Conference’s work as much too important to be lightly abandoned. The whole world regarded an understanding as most important, and he approved of the British proposals. Switzerland was enthusiastic over the truce proposal. M. Bartliou said he hoped that agreement was in sight, and hoped they would settle tire* question whether the Commission should be mixed or otherwise. On the question of a Pact, both England and France desired to learn the views of other countries. LLOYD GEORGE APPEALS.

TO RUSSIA AND FRANCE. Genoa, May 13. The First Commission had’ a long and serious debate. Mr Lloyd Georgo_ said the Russian answer was provoking and unsatisfactory, and typical of a liplomacy which' always introduced argumentative documents at times when they wore really trying to do business. However, in its substance there was room to come to some arrangement. Everyone had a difference with public opinion, and it was. not right for other statesmen to criticise them too severely. To break over that document would be very serious for Europe and Asia. “If we sent the Russians back to a great populace in the grip of famine and pestilence, thov would feel that the door of hope had boon shut on them with a clang. No one could doubt the fierce resentment that would ensue, and which would bo a menace not only to Russia, but to the peace of tho world.” Ho was certain the Russians felt the need of credits and the now conditons on which they oould bo obtained. He bogged the people to regard tho position from a practical standpoint and not make the most of tho clash of principle between two antagonistic systems. He, therefore, proposed that they should, in reply to the Russians, accept tho suggested mixed commission or commissions which would deal with the three questions of private property, dobts and credits. It was essential that the commissions should he mixed. Another mooting of London exports would be a waste of time. One thing however was essential. The commissions could not work in an atmosphere of menace and semi-hostility, and while armies were threatening the frontiers and propaganda was rife. He thus proposed a truco on the basis of do facto frontiers, with a cessation of propaganda on evoryono’s part. Finally, he proposed that a sharp Note should he sent in reply to Russia’s Note, which needed answer.

M. Barthou said that acting on instructions from Paris, he was unable to discuss tho reply to a document which, thoy had not joined in sending. Speaking on Mr Lloyd George’s proposals, ho said, with regard to tho suggested commissions, that the Conference had been discussing for five weeks questions which these commissions were to investigate, without making any progress. The Russian reply disowned the Cannes conditions. The French delegation had done what it could to reach a decision, but ho did nt think the commissions could achieve any results. It simply meant starting the Genoa Conference over again in another form. He reserved tho right to consider whether the commission, if not appointed by tho Conference, might not later he appointed by the governments, always provided tho Russians woro not represented on these commissions, which should be confined to tho Allies and neutrals and perhaps America. France could not accept the Russian representation. He saw a grave rnenaco in tho proposed truce, inasmuch as propaganda would contimm. Signor Schanzer said he was not prepared to take the responsibility of saying the Powers should abandon their efforts at peace after only five weeks’ work. They should not refuse Mr Lloyd George’s practical proposals. Tho danger of a rupture was very great and gravest of all was parting on the Note by disunion, on what was, after all, a matter of procedure. In regard to the goal they wished to attain, it would be a terrible disillusionment if the Conference broke on a flimsy issue like this. He appealed to M. Barthou to reconsider his view. The commission adjourned for a few hours to see whether better counsels should prevail. THE FRENCH REPLY. Mr Lloyd George said they should agree now upon a place and date of meeting for the Russian. Commission. He emphasised the great importance of coming to an agreement at Genoa, because it was obvious, if the Powers started making separate agreements that great troubles might arise. The Polish delegates sajd Poland had a separate agreement with Russia, hut was anxious to have a general agreement. M. Jasper said Belgium also wanted a settlement at Genoa, and he

would be sorry if Belgium came to be regarded as interfering witli it. Signor Sclianzer said Italy already had a commercial agreement with Russia which was still unsigned. They should fix a period in which the Commission should- report, and he suggested three months.