STILL HOPES.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2123, 15 May 1922, Page 5

STILL HOPES.

OF POWERS AGREEING. GENOA NOT YET AT AN END. REPLY TO RUSSL\. [By Electric Cable —Copyright.] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Sunday, 7 p.m.) 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 the effort suggested by the British to endeavour to secure a truce is merely to prevent the Conference being an entire failure. The Prussian suggestion that foreign capitalists have not hesitated to invest capital in Russia encourages her in the belief that when the Conference terminates, whatever its result, there are groups of financiers and commercial men waiting to exploit her resources. This, together with the 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 re-assemble 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 question of sanctions, to make it effective. NEUTRALS COMPLAISANT. (Received Sunday, 7 p.m.) GENOA, May 12. Mr. Lloyd George lunched with the delegates representing Norway, Sweden, Roumania, Switzerland and Japan, and assured himse'f 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 credits. He hopes debts commission will get to work at Genoa. Mr. Lloyd George is bent on dealing with the problems of tlie frontiers, in order to seal a peace pact on completion of the work of the Russian Commissions. It is expected the Conference will adjourn a fortnight hence. A BETTER UNDERSTANDING. (Received Monday, 3 a.m.) GENOA, May 14. When the sub-Commission, resumed it was announced that conversations between Kir. 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 the other Powers have expressed their opinions on the proposed truce. Baron Ishii 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. Barthou said he hoped that agreement was in sight, and he hoped they would settle the 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. A MIXED COMMISSION. GENOA, May 13. The First Commission had a long and serious debate. Mr. Lloyd George said the Russian answer was provoking and unsatisfactory, and typical of a diplomacy which always introduced argumentative documents at times when they were 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 population in the g'rip of famine and pestilence, they would feel that the door of hope had been shut on them 'with a clang. No one could doubt the fierce resentment that would ensue, and which would be a menace not only to Russia but to the peace of the world.” He was certain the Russians felt the need of credits and the new conditions on which they could be obtained. He begged the people to regard the position from a practical standpoint and not make the most of the clash of principle between two antagonistic systems. He, therefore, proposed that they should, in reply to the Russians, accept the suggested mixed commission or commissions which would deal with the three questions of private property, debts and credits. It as essential that the commissions should be mixed. Another meeting of London experts would be a waste of time. One thing, however, was essential. The commissions could not work in an atmos-

phore of menace and semi-hostility, and while armies were threatening' the frontiers and proganada was rife. He thus proposed a truce on the basis of de facto frontiers, with a cessation of propaganda on everyone’s part. Finally, he proposed that a sharp Note should be sent in reply to Russia’s Note, which needed answer. M. Barthou said that acting on instructions from Paris, he was unable to discuss the reply to a document which they had not joined in sending. Speaking on Mr. Lloyd George’s proposals, he said, with regard to the 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 delegation had done what it could to reach a decision, but he did not think the commissions could achieve any results. It simply meant starting the Genoa Conference over again in another form. He. reserved the right to consider whether the commission, if not appointed by the Conference, might not later be appointed by the governments, always provided the Russians were not represented on these commissions, which should be confined to the Allies and neutrals and perhaps America. France could not accept the Russian representation. He saw a grave menace in the proposed truce, inasmuch as propaganda would continue. 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., .re-