GENOA CONFERENCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 10 April 1922, Page 5

GENOA CONFERENCE

WLIL BE A GREAT SUCCESS

MU LLOYD GEORGES CONVICTION

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) ; Australian and N.Z. Cable Association)

LONDON. April 8

The Daily Chronicle’s Paris correspondent says that the meeting of Mr Eloyd George and M. Poincaire, which will he known as “the wagon-lit conference,'’ proved most cordial. Me I Jovd George laughingly assured M. P< lineal re that in spite of whatever the French papers said, ho still represented tho English democracy. Ho added that if the Genoa Conference proved abortive, owing to French recalcitrancy, it would do France much damage in England. Ho begged M. Poincaire ijO weigh all the consequences of a negative or a passive altitude. . M. Poincaire replied that Mr Lloyd George could rely on I ranee s coidial support, while the terms of the Boulogne agreement were adhered to. Mr Liovd George afterwards said that as a result of the meeting he had the firm conviction that the Genoa Conference would he a. great success. ITALIAN COMMENT ROME,April 7. Simor Facta, interviewed, said the Italian Government viewed the. Genoa Conference as the Highest conceivable manifestation of peace ideals, represeutin<T the sinccrest determination on the pavt of the victors and vanquished to collaborate in the reconstruction of Eumpe. It was imperative that Europe should leave behind the passions of war and initiate reconstruction and the h?establishment of relations between the peoples. He was confident that nothing would ocur to mar tho trnnquihtv ot the conference, which would brighten Europe’s future.

RUSSIAN ATTITUDE

GENOA, April 7,

Tchitchcrin, interviewed, said he ap-| proved particularly of Air Lloyd George s desire to reduce European armaments to achieve practical results. Russia, while seeking European aid in reconstruction, would resolutely oppose Cannes plan of a foreign controlled consortium calculated to encroach upon the Soviet’s sovereignty. It would he imposiblc to conclude an economic agreement- unless Russia's judicial existence, was recognised. 1 totesting against the French attitude towards tlic Soviet, Tclutcheriii said it would depend upon .France whether tho Soviet would be compelled to enter the combinations opposed to the French policy. The Soviet was prepared to recognise Russia’s debts, but would insure receiving reparations for tho devastation wrought by the While armies supported by tho Allies.

RESTRICTIONS TO TRADE

REMOVAL.URGED

LONDON, April 9

The National Association of merchants and manufacturers is sending to Genoa a petition, signed by 800 leading representatives of British commerce and , industry, declaring that the ever-increas-ing hinderances to the international exchange o£ goods and services constitutes one of th«T root causes of present chaotic conditions of JXrt world's trade. The, petitioners deplore the enforcement since the war by practically every'state in the world of so many restrictions to trade, and urge the Conference not jperely to recommend their removal, but to agree to such further measures as will ensure a progressive liberation of trade and commerce throughout the world, as otic of the chief means to the restoration of economic prosperity. DISCUSSION OF ARRANGEMENTS LONDON, April ,10. The Australian Press Association’s Genoa correspondent states that live powers lengthily discussed the arrangements today.

Air Lloyd George proposed Signor Facta as president of the conference. The language 1 throughout will be English, French, and Italian, which will lengthen the proceedings.