GENOA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 12 April 1922, Page 5

GENOA

THIRTY COUNTRIES REPRESENTED EXTRAORDINARY PRECAUTIONS (By Electric Telegraph —Copyright) {Australian and N.Z, Cable Association). GENOA, April 11. The city is an armed camp. These .surroundings to a conference with peaceful intent arc mainly due to the presence of the Russians and the fear (hat the turbulent elements imglit demonstrate against the Bolshevik delegation. A large fora; of military was imported into the city, together with a strong contingent of Carabineers. A specially wide cordon was drawn around tiie Rafiizzo Sangiorgio,. where, the Conference met. Small units of infantry are stationed every twenty yards in all the streets converging thereon, while cavalry patrols traversed the. streets, which are decorated with Malian colours. Crowds thronged Mu' street, but there was little in tiuV ceremony for spectators owing to the police precautions. Thirty countries are represented, and there are five hundred journalists of all nationalities.

The sensation of the session was the. encounter between Al. Icliitehenu and Al. Barthou. Directly the Russian suggested disarmament, M. Barthou jumped up and declared that France, absolutely and categorically refused In discuss disarmament. Air Lloyd George intervened ; but M. Barthou again became, angry when Mr Lloyd George said that disarmament must ultimately be discussed. AL Tchitchcriii reminded AL Barthou that Al. Bviand discussed disarmament at Washington; and Al. Barthou retorted; "Tho Cannes agreement is that disarmament should not be discussed •■itre.”

AIR LLOYD GEORGE'S- SPEECH

GONERIIENCE ELECTRIEIED

GENOA, April 10. Mr Lloyd George, in his- address to the Conference, said: “This is the greatest gathering of European nations which has ever assembled; 'The results will be far-reaching upon *., tho destiny of the world. AVe meet on equal terms, provided we accept equal conditions. Those laid down, at- Cannes are honourable in themselves and essential to any intercourse between nations. We fully a Crept them ourselves. They are the only eomlitious upon which we can consent to deal with others.” After detailing conditions Mr Lloyd George went on: ‘‘Europe ;s exhausted with its fury,, with the loss of blood and treasure, and is staggering under colossal burdens of debt and reputation which was entailed. Legitimate trade and industry were everywhere disorganised and depressed.” Ah - Lloyd George concluded: “It ia good to study currency exchange and transport credit, but if real peace becomes the issue of this Conference all those- will be added unto you. It is •rue P.at actual fighting has ceased, but snarling goes on, Europe is deafened hy canine .clamour. It is not digmUed; it rattles the nerves of a nerverained Continent. We can only make u real contribution towards the restoration of Europe if the Conference can ttop snarling. 1 regret that America is not represented. But if we can set things rigid America will come in gladly j if we fail a sense of despair will sweep over I lie world. If we succeed the way of confidence will illuminate the gloom, bringing life to the spirit of rnapkind.” Though Mr Lloyd enrge occasionally seemed a tired man, his speech was a gnat effort-, recalling that at Paris aft ot his return from Rapallo in 1917. Mr Lloyd George, fighting with tire zeal of a Crusader, electrified the Conference, which was held in a room in the Palace of Saint George, a square hall about the size of the House of Commons Chamber, with lime-washed walls and life-sized statues in, the niches. Newspaper men crowded the gallery al- the back, the delegates sitting in double horseshoe form. Mr Lloyd George’s best point was a reference to snarling, which was delivered with much forcefulncss. ■ Following Mr Lloyd George, M. Barthou said: “I bring to this Conference the loyal co-operation of France. We are here for action. We do not disguise fhe difficulties of our task, hut faith alone will save the world. France claims no hegemony; the war has cost her too much, and -she is wholly and resolutely for peace. M, Barthau concluded: “Genoa will not he the Court of Appeal where existing treaties* are judged and revised.” _ AL Tchitcherin, following M. Baithou, said the Russians did not desire to make propaganda, but to collaborate. They accepted the principle of • ■■the Cannes resolutions noting their reciprocity, Russia’s economic jproppsals _miglß oven exceed those of Cannes. Russia Nvas ready to disarm if assured against attack. . ♦ AL Barthou spoke fe second tune m vcnly to AL Tchitechcriu repeating that France would • not permit the raising of the disarmament question. M Tchitcherin then attempted to discuss tho Ukraine, but Signor Facta declared the incident closed. ~ M. Barthou, speaking with heat, earn, “The incident cannot close in ambigUl Siiiior Facta replied: “There "is no ambiguity. All present accept the Cannes resolutions as the basts of tne Conference.” , , AL Barthou insisted on haying the last word and dramatically protested that the Russians had abandoned the Cannes resolutions.

GERMANY WILL WORK LOYALLY AT CONFERENCE

GENOA, April 11. Following M. Barthou’s speech, Heir Wirth, in a conciliatory address, said Germany, who was abiding loyally by the Cannes resolutions, was one ot Europe’s sick countries, and bad come here to heal the wound. They would work loyally with the Conference. world must abandon the spirit of distrust which was hindering Germany 8 recovery. Economic, and financial leaders should always have the final word at Conference. We promise co-opera-tion. That is all wo can do. M. Tchitchorin, in the course of a speech, said: “Wo have not come here seeking -Bolshevik ends, but loyal participation on the basis of reciprocity. Wo will introduce our own special plan for the reconstruction of and finally will propose calling a universal conference which will offer an even larger basis than the League of Nations.” GERMAN TRIBUTE TO MR LLOYD GEORGE BERLIN, April 11. The newspapers pay a tribute to M. Lloyd George’s remarkable deplomatic ; ability in restoring peace at the Conference. FURTHER LIVELY EXCHANGES GENOA, April 11 Further lively' exchanges occurred between M. Tcbitcherin and M. Barthon. Tcbitcherin objected to the presence of Rruminnia and Japan, the former owing to her occupation of Bessarabia. Count Isbii replied that Japan stays, whatever Tcbitcherin likes or dislikes.