GENOA CONFERENCE.

Grey River Argus, 4 May 1922, Page 5

GENOA CONFERENCE.

ANOTHER GENOA HITCH. OVER RESTORATION OF PROPERTY BY RUSSIA. A N GLO-F REN Cl I 1)1 SAG REEM ENT. [A. ana N. Z. Cable Association J (Received May 3. 7.30 p.m.) GENOA. May 3. The French attitude caused a sensa tion yesterday at the Political Sub Commission regarding Russia. The sub-commission met in the afternoon The Belgian delegates, who were ab sent, had previously endeavoured to se cure the omission from the draft of ti proposal giving the Russians the option of either restoring, or paying compen • sat ion for, private property. The Belgians now demanded its restoration. M. Barrere •(acting on behalf of M. Barthou) stated that lie was instructed from Paris, after M. Barthou’s departure, that the French approval should not be given until M. Barthou returned. Mr Lloyd George said that such an announcement was not expected, as M. Barthou, before his departure, was ignorant thereof. M. Barrere confirmed this view. The sub-commission adjourned, after which the situation was informally considered. Two suggestions were made. The first was that a telegram should be sent to the French Government, explaining that the draft, as approved by M. Barthou and other delegations, represented a compromise, and that to 'introduce amendments would necessitate its reconsideration de novo; and further urging the French Government to confirm the draft without any further amendment. The second suggestion was the possibility of introducing some words in the critical article dealing with private property, to enable the French delegation to let the document go forward. To-night, when the sub-commission resumed, the French delegation moved an amendment to this article, adding further safeguards with regard to the restoration of property. Mr Lloyd George said the amendment added weight to the article, which was already overweighted. BARTHOU LEAVES FOR PARIS. LONDON, May 2. The Australian Press Association’s Genoa correspondent states that M. Barthou has left for Paris and returns on Saturday. Questioned in reference to the pact of non-aggression, he said that if Russia did not accept the terms now about to be submitted, it would be useless to go on with the pact without her. FRENCH AMENDMENT ACCEPTED. GENOA, May 3. Continuing, Mr Lloyd George said the addition tenured by France was one that might well make the difference between a settlement and n on-settle-ment. He said he was profoundly anxious to maintain the co-operation of France, and would accept the amendment, in spite of the danger, if France agreed to pass the memorandum. He added that a failure by France to agree might mean a failure to achieve the pacification of Eastern Europe with such consequences upon the re-grouping of powers as it was imp; i’ 1 • to forsee. He appealed to old allies and , comrades to let the draft go through. M. Barrere said that he was pro- ; foundly touched by Mr Lloyd G-corge’s appeal. His position wfis a most difficult one. He had clear instructions not to approve until he received instructions from Paris. The French delegates finally agreed to send the document to their Government with a reservation that the French delegates did not give it their final approval pending instructions from Paris. Mr Lloyd George then accepted the amendment. INTERNATIONAL FINANCE CANADA’S CONTRIBUTION. (Received May 3 at 8.30 p.m.) ‘ LONDON, May 3... The Australian Press Association’s correspondent at Genoa states that Canada will contribute £1,000,000 towards the proposed international corporation. THE TARIFF QUESTION. GENOA, May 3. The Economic Commission has adopted a Swiss motion, recalling the principles of equitable treatment in commerce contained iin Article 23 of the League of Nations Covenant. It recommends a resumption of commercial relations on the basis of treaties of commerce, founded, on the one hand, on a system of reciprocity adapted to special circumstances, and containing, on the other hand, the possibility of a most favoured nation clause. A British preamble was adopted to this motion, setting forth that most of the countries represented at the conference, while recognising that temporary difficulties which may preclude a general adoption of the most favoured nation clause in all cases, affirm their conviction that this should be the goal to be aimed at. France dissented from the motion. France suggested that Britain was regarding the favoured nation ticatment too much as a doctrine and as the only remedy for European difficulties. There were other remedies, such as reciprocity and commercial treaties. BELGIANS AND RUSSIA. The Belgians have written to Signor Facta, consequent on the Allie attitude towards Russia, withdrawing all the offers they made in the preamble to the note to Russia, including a subserption of £4,000,000 to a consortium.