HAGUE PANEL

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 4591, 17 May 1922, Page 2

HAGUE PANEL

RUSSIANS ON EQUAL FOOTING. LLOYD GEORGE EXPLAINS. (By Electric Cable—Copyright.) (Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.', London, May 15. Mr Lloyd George, addressing tho Anglo-American journalists, said Allied and Russian commissions would sit at the same table and discuss the proposals, but there naturally would be occasions when each would sit separately. It vas not his,, intention personally to attend the Hague, and the Allied panel would- probably be confined to experts only. He bad handed the proposals to the American Ambassador with an invitation to America to participate in tlie Hague Conference, then he would decide on his line of action, without laying down principles for the panel, which would explore the-whole qujstbi. Current negotiations between European States and Russia would not be interrupted, but new agreements would be oarre.l, although there was no power to prevent individuals making agreements If tho Russians refuse tho present proposal, matters would he at an end. Later, at a sitting of the Sub-Com-mission, M. Baithou protested against two commissions sitting instead of a mixed one, first submitting the protest to the Sub-Commission. M. Tehitcherin’s statement, he said, was based on an entire misconception. There was no idea of excluding the Russians They would be invited to the Hague on a footing of equality. The object of the Allies’ meeting was first, purely preliminary, while the bar against making agreements applied to countries other than Russia. The Sub-Commission decided to invite the Russians to attend to-mor-row’s meeting. M. Barthou intimated that the French would not rttend, as they had not approved of the original memorandum. M.- Gasper intimated that the Belgian attitude was similar. Other Genoa reports state that Mr Lloyd George declared that if tho Russians agreed to the Hague Conference, it would be a prolongation of Genoa. If they did not, the Conference would be finished. Mr Lloyd George aqtl Signor Schanzer clearly pointed out that the Russians are free to continue the negotiations, already commenced, for agreements with Sweden, Japan and Czecao-Slovakia, hut the Allies will not sign or make any further agreements Although M. Barllmu will not attend to-morrow, ho has undertaken that if Russia accepts the Hag ie scheme, he will recommend Paris to adopt the proposals.

THE GERMAN VIEW. Berlin, May 15. The German public is asking where lies the guarantee that the Hague Conference will be more successful than that at Genoa, which has taken five weeks of confabulation and intrigue to produce tho Russo-German Treaty. The Boerson Courier says the most important result of tho Genoa Conference is the fact that tlie second conference suggests as a logical result a permanent conference which will e ventually be converted into a world parliament. This idea, first expressed by Herr Ebert at Leipzig Fair in March, is becoming the new ideal of tlie modern German politician. SIR- FRANCIS BELL FOR GENOA, Auckland, May 16. The Right Hon AV. F. Massey has received a telegram from Sir Francis Bell stating that Mr Lloyd George has telegraphed him, requesting his attendance at the Genoa Conference. Sir Francis Bell was accordingly leaving London to-morrow morning for Genoa. Mr Massey added that it would be recollected that it had been arranged that in the event of Sir Francis Bell arriving in England in time for the Genoa Conference, he would represent New Zealand, but if not-, tho representation of tlie Dominion would he entrusted to the British delegates. •AS U.S. WILL NOT BE THERE. “THEY WANT OUR MONEY.” Washington, May IS. “Unless some phaso of the situation, not now visible, changes the whole aspect of things, America will not accept the invitation to attend the Hague Conference,” says the AYashington Journal. One, of the leading Administration officials says: “Mr Lloyd George is in a hole and is trying to drag us with him. About all Europe wants is our money.” Apart from moci’ts, the view is emphasised that any such conference must bo a failure •■nles; Russia shows a disposition to change. Tho attitude of recent Soviet notes to Genoa, and other Moscow pronouncements, aro not regarded hero as alfording sufficient basis for dealing with the Soviet. Generally speaking, cables inviting America to participate aro received with no enthusiasm. Officials believe Franco has played tho shrewdest game at Genoa, COME TO RIGA. Genoa, May 15. Herr Ilakowski, on being interviewed, said tlie Russians would protest against a separate commission. Tho embargo on separate agreements was equivalent to a now blockade, but it would ho accepted with the other proposals. The Russians would endeavour to change the venue front tho Hague to Riga or Stockholm.