FRANCE AT THE HAGUE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18116, 14 June 1922, Page 7

FRANCE AT THE HAGUE.

AOTTUDE TO RUSSIA. ALLIED AGREEMENT URGED REPLY TO BRITISH NOTE. By Telegraph—Proaa Association—Copyright. (Eeoeived 6.45 p.m.) A. and N.Z. PARIS. Jun* 13. The French reply to the British Note regarding the forthcoming conference at The Hague suggests that the Allied and neutral Powers ought to agree upon a plan before meeting the Russians. The reply says that while Britain regards the preliminary conference solely as one of experts other Governments have taken a different view and have decided to De represented by diplomats. The conference of experts to meet on June 25 ■will not deal with questions of principle, which would only give a favourable opportunity for propaganda by tho Russian Soviet Government, but with practical means for re-establishing normal relations between Russia and other countries. This meeting of experts will not be preceded by preliminary conversations on proposals to be presented in common agreement to the Russians. "It is unfortunately certain that at the present time such an. agreement does not exist," proceeds the French Note. 'The discussions at Genoa revealed profound. . divergencies. Will it be reasonable to present ourselves divided without a precise plan before the Russian delegates i who Ehowed at Genoa that they knew how to take advantage of the least di - I agreement?" j The French Government, like the British Government, considers that the Cannes resolutions Bhould be regarded as the imperative rale at the Hague Conference It is because the Russian delegates at Genoa deliberately and repeatedly departed from the letter and spirit jof those resolutions that France insists I on the necessity of keeping to them. I The comment of French newspapers ' yesterday on the British Note was pitched on a moderate tone. j The Journal said that France must not be blind to the fact that the reply counters the French thesis in regard to Russia. The Eclair asserted that the Note proves how difficult it is to maintain any sort of agreement with Mr. Lloyd

George's Government.