RUSSIA AND FRANCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18080, 3 May 1922, Page 7

RUSSIA AND FRANCE

. ATTITUDE STATED. THE GERMAN AGREEMENT. SECRET CLAUSES DENIED. MERE INTEREST OF PEACE. POLICY NEVER VARIED. By Teleeraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received 5.5 p.m.) A and N.Z. LONDON, May 1. The chief of the Russian delegation, M. Tchitcherin, has written to M. Barthou (France) calling attention to the comment in the French press and by the Government regarding the Russo-Gcrman agreement, which has been interpreted as against the interests of France, also | that iho agreement was alleged to contain a secret clause of a military aggressive character, while statements by the Russians and Germans apparently had not. allayed the suspicions concerning the real sense of the Rapallo agreement. Therefore the Russian delegation, in the. interests of truth and to dispel these rumours, continued M. Tchitchcrin, emphatically declares that tho agreement, does not contain any such clauses. Tho Soviet Government is not engaged in any | act, direct or indirect, against France or j any other nation. Tho sole object of the i agreement is the liquidation of certain I questions pending between the two States j "xhich have been in a state of war. Both feoi the necessity for re-establishing peace j in the interests of themselves and those j of humanity generally. It is only the first of a series of agreements to complete a general understanding for which the Powers at Genoa are striving. Regarding France's particular position, the Russian Government considers that several points of contact exist with Franco which should ensure -%n agreement.. Russia's policy has never varied, despite the hostile altitude France maintained against her for four years. This hostility has created lively resentment in Russian public opinion. They are con- | vinced that a change on the part of Franco would be. beneficial to the economic reconstruction of the world. M. Tchitcherin adds that 'his letter was dictated by a. . desire to dissipate misunderstandings which might Interrupt the conference. A copy of his letter has been sent to Mr. Lloyd George. M. Barthou s..aid tho only observation he had to make was that France was never hostile to the Russian people, and was hostile only to the Government, which had signed the Brest-Litovsk Treaty. Mr. Lloyd Cleorgo said he was gratified the letter had -been sent. NOTE FROM THE ALLIES. FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS. MIXED ARBITRAL TRIBUNAL. A. and N.Z. . LONDON, May 1. A draft of the Russian Note has been completed, and will probably be delivered to-morrow. It recommends that the president of a mixed arbitral tribunal shall be appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States, with two other j members, one representing all foreign bondholders and the other representing the Soviet. It would be permissible for bondholders individually to make thenown arrangements with Russia within a • definite period; failing that, the claims to be referred to the tribunal. A special V tribunal is proposed to deal with private property claims to be under a president selected by the president of the arbitral tribunal, with other members nominated by the nationals concerned. A memorandum to Russia stipulated that the Rumanian treasure sent to Moscow as security in wartime shall not rank as a. war debt, but must bo restored ' fully. BRITAIN AND RUSSIA. / READINESS TO TREAT. I REPORTS FROM GENOA. A. and N.Z. . PARIS. May L ' It is reported from several sources in Genoa that Britain is prepared to conclude a separate agreement with Russia if a general agreement by the Powers prove impossible. It is understood that Mr. Lloyd George has informed M. Barthou to this effect. RECENT AGREEMENTS. SOVIET AND SMALL STATES, REASON FOR TRUCULENCY. A and N.Z. LONDON, May 1. Tho Australian and Now Zealand Press Association's correspondent at Genoa learns on good authority that Russia came to the conference with agreements signed by the small States on the lines of that with Germany. The Litest of these agreements was signed as recently as March 22. This fact accounts for the truculent attitude of the Soviet toward the conference. As most of these agreements were made with warworn countries the Soviet recognises that they cannot help her greatly without the -financial help of nations with capital. The Italian delegation replied to M. Tchitcherin, stating that the meetings which are taking place had the object of defining certain .point* for the benefit of the Russians. They therefore could not recognise any adequate grounds of protest. UNITED STATES ATTITUDE NO RECOGNITION YET. AWAITING STABLE CONTROL Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. CEecd. 10.35 P.m.) NEW YORK. May 1 The Washington correspondent of the New York Times reports that the Seer* tary of State, Mr, G. E. Hughes, replying to the Women's International League ol Peace and Freedom, asking for America!' recognition of Russia, said that politica! recognition of tho Soviet was dependent upon the existence of a Government con* petent to discharge, and showing disposition to discharge, its international obliga tions. The United States did not intenc to interfere with the Russian people u an attempt to work out their own destiny The basis for tho credit which Ru-'si; needed must be supplied inside Russia, an< could not be supplied outside. Mean while, the United States would contrnm |. to refuse recognition. /