THE FRENCH ATTITUDE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18542, 1 May 1922, Page 5

THE FRENCH ATTITUDE

WHOLE-HEARTED IRRITATION.

M*. POINCARE IN AMBUSH.

“KAISER OF PEACE.”

LONDON, April 29. (Received April 30, at 5.5 p.m.) Mr J.- L. Garvin’s despatches from Genoa continue to express who]e-hearted irritation at the French attitude. His opinions are important as likely to be reflecting the feeungs of Mr Lloyd George, Mr Garvin being admittedly one of the Prime Minister’s soundest supporters. Mr Garvin, after paying tribute to Mr Lloyd George’s work at Genoa, declares that Paris is a greater danger than Moscow, seeking to kill the spirit of the Cannes resolutions, and proceeds: "Paris does not work genuinely for the restoration of Europe but breads it. M. Poincare clings to the formula of Allied domination, which means French domination. He will neither come to the Conference nor keep cut. For instance, a Note in answer to the Russian proposals which was intended to end the maddening procrastination and evasiveness of the Bolshevists was thoroughly approved by Italy and others, but was again subjected to the veto of Paris, which instructed M. Barthou to submit a counter-draft. Once more M. Poincare has treated the French Relegation like puppets to be jerked by wires. He has harassed the Conference like a man in ambush. He does not want Genoa to succeed. He always gives most trouble when it is mostly likelv to succeed. He is undoubtedly divided between a strong desire to break up the Conference and an anxious dread of the consequences. He is the Kaiser of peace and mav be fatal to Europe.—A. and N.Z. Cable. Writing in the Observer, Mr Garvin says: “It is intolerable that M. Poincare should meddle with the Genoa Conference without belonging to it.” If he had been living in the atmosphere of Genoa for 24 hours, Mr Garvin declares, M. Poincare would have been incapable of the speech cabled on April 24. “Not a single country, whether Ally or neutral, approved of the ultimatum in that speech. It Ignored the overwhelming weight of sane opinion throughout the world.” The inherent issue of this conference is that either there shall be the beginning of a new Europe or be an end of the Entente between Britain and France. It is high time to show that this is the British Empire’s irrevocable policy. Either M. Poincare’s ultimatum must be stultified, which will mean his political exit, the Entente must end, or reparations must be discussed from top to bottom.”—A. and N.Z. Cable.

M. BARTHOU RETURNS TO PARIS; *

DIFFERENCES WITH M. POINCARE,

GENOA, April 28. M. Barthou has returned to Paris to confer with M. Poincare. This is reported to be due to differences with M. Poincare, who insists that M. Barthou must stick to his instructions. M. Barthou demanded to be recalled to enable him to explain his position to the Chamber ot Deputies. It is by no means certain that he will be recalled, as M. Poincare would fear to precipitate a Cabinet crisis. M. Barthou denies that he is leaving the conference. He expects to be back at Genoa on Wednesday. Meanwhile his colleagues will carry on. Mr Lloyd George says he regrets even a temporary absence of the head ot the French delegation.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

ECONOMIC COMMISSION.

AUSTRALIAN INTERESTS.

LONDON, April 28,

The Australian Press Association’s Genoa correspondent states that the Economic Commission is holding a plenary session to consider its report to the conference. The recommendations are naturally drafted in the interests of European reconstruction. Some cut directly across Australian interests, while the majority would considerably benefit the Australian export trade. Sir Joseph Cook did valuable work by securing a modification of the preamble in the direction of obtaining an option fo? overseas countries to accept only the portions suitable to their conditions. The Italians prepared a resolution on the question of the distribution of raw materials. The same correspondent says that the discussion on the French and British drafts of Notes to the Soviet continues. It is understood that there is very little difference between the two documents. Both make it clear that the Russians must accept the Cannes resolutions as a whole, not/in part. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

LABOUR MEMBER’S VIEWS.

CONFIDENCE IN PRIME MINISTER. ROME, April 28. The Right Hon. J. H. Thomas , (Labour), interviewed, said the British public supported Mr Lloyd George’s attitude at Genoa. It had grown tired of the French Government’s attitude, which was seemingly aiming at breaking up the conference, from which the world awaited most important results. —A. and N.Z. Cable

OPTIMISTIC NOTE.

SIGNOR FACTA CONFIDENT,

ROME, April 28. Reports from Milan state that Signor Facta is paying a flying visit to Pinerolo, his birthplace. Interviewed, he said that, he still believed the conference would succeed. “We must not be astonished at the violent antagonisms and conflicts arising. They are better fought out there than on tho battlefields. They arise unexpectedly, and eventually result m a clearing of the atmosphere. They must he overcome with resolution and perseverance. As the conference has overcome the earlier difficulties, so it will the later ones.”—A. and N.Z. Cable.

THE NOTE TO RUSSIA.

A PREAMBLE ISSUED,

TWO ARTICLES COMPLETED,

PROPAGANDA AND LOANS.

GENOA, April 29. (Received April 30, at i 1.6 p.m. M. Tclntcberin has written to Signor Facta requesting the reason tor the aelay in summoning tne first commission, declaring tnat u it is not convenient and no reply is received to tne Russian letter of April 20 to Mr Lloyd George accepting tno conditions he will be compelled to witndraw the otter. The Allies’ Note is not yet completed, but a preamble was issued this evening. It states that the Allies, have given profound consideration to the condition of Russia and tnat they sincerely desire the establishment of friendly relations amongst the European nations, amongst whom Russia might take her place. They recognise that Russia’s resources have been drained during the past eight years, and that misery, famine, and privation would continue, constituting a plague spot of increasing menace to the European system. The Powers are anxious to. avert such a fate falling upon Russia, but her reconstruction is impossible' without the assistance of Western capital. When the nationals of other countries are guaranteed safety in doing business they will hasten to her assistance. Her economic resources are paralysed, not destroyed. Industrial Europe can furnish her requirements as soon as guarantees are forthcoming and their debts are recognised. Several countries are prepared to form a consortium providing an initial capital of £20,000,000, while some countries are prepared to finance their nationals in Russia. The British Government would make use of the Trade Facilities Act and the Export Credit Act. France is unable to {provide financial help, but is prepared to join in the consortium, also to supply seed and agricultural and other machinery, with trained workers. Italy will take up 20 per cent, of the consortium capital and assist in agricultural organisation. Japan will grant a credit of 8,000,000 yen to a Russian trading company, Belgium 250,000,000 francs to assist export trade, also 20 per cent, of the consortium capital and help private mining and other enterprises. Only two articles of the Note have been completed, and it is not likely to be handed to the Russians before the early part of tho week. The first article deals with propaganda. It has been decided that the Soviet must refrain from propaganda, both socially and territorially, and must clearly understand that there must be no agitation against the de facto frontiers established under existing treaties, The second article deals with the method of writing down debts. It Was suggested that the writing down should be done by either an international court of justice under the League of Nations or by the American Supreme Court. The question was referred to the Legal Experts’ Committee.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

THE DISCUSSION.

M. BRATIANO’S ACTIVITY. LONDON, April 29. (Received April 30, at 11.5 p.m.) The Australian Press correspondent at Genoa states that M. Bratiano was responsible for the securing of reference to frontiers in article 1. Mr Lloyd George, while in full accord with Rumania’s claim to Bessarabia, thought that such disturbing questions as frontiers should be excluded from the text of the Note and dealt with in the pact against aggression. Neutral countries abstained from voting on the point, but the Little Entente was extremely nervous of the Russo-German Agreement. There has been much discussion over the article in the Note dealing with private properties, and efforts are being made to devise a formula which, while not hutting the sensitiveness of the Bolshevists, will give the Allies the guarantees they require.—A. and N.Z. Cable. HUNGARY AND RUSSIA. . WASHINGTON, April 29. (Received April 30, at 5.5 p.m.)_ Count Szechenhi, the Hungarian Minister here, has issued a statement giving an official denial that Hungary has entered into any treaty with Soviet Russia or that any negotiations have been conducted. — A. and N.Z. Cable. IRREPLACEABLE LINES OFFERED FOR A SONG AT PENROSE’S MILITARY SURPLUS STOCK SALE. FRESH LINES BROUGHT FORWARD FOR TO-DAY’S BUSINESS. FRONT IJNE BARGAINS FOR THE EARLY SHOPPER. 50 pairs Men’s Flannelette Pyjamas, full sizes; heavy quality. Usual price, 15s 6d. SALE PRICE, 7s lid. 25 Khaki Sweater Coats, colonial make. Usual price, 255. SALE PRICE, 12s 6d. Colonial Wool Travelling Rugs, large size. Usual price, 37s 6d. SALE PRICE, 19a 6d. 200 pairs Men’s Renovated Military Underpants colonial make. Usual price, 10s 6d. MILITARY SALE PRICE, 3s lid. Neglige Shirts, good washing patterns; full men's sizes. Usual price, 12s 6d. SALE PRICE, 4s lid. Men’s Khaki Woollen Gloves. Worth 4s lid. MILITARY SALE PRICE, Is 6d. 100 Brushed Wool Military Scarves, splendid for ladiea’ or children’s use. Usual price, 12s 6d. SALE PRICE, 4s lid. 70 ’ Woollen Comforters, a good warm scarf; smart appearance. Usual price, 15s 6d. SAFE PRICE, 5s lid. All Sizes Boys’ Colonial Woollen Jerseys. Heather and Grey. Usual prices, 9s 6cl to 12s 6d. SALE PRICES, 5s lid, 6s 6d. Heavy Drill Shirts, for working men; collars attached. Usual price, 12s 6d. SALE PRICK, 8s 6d. Men’s Cotton Socks, in Black, Brown, Tan. Usual price, 12s 6d. SALE PRICE, 9d. 200 1)0X03 Men’s Linen Collars, small sizes. Usual price, Is 6d each. RIALS PRICE, 12 for Is. W. PKNROSE & CO.. GEORGE STREET. —Advt. Damp feet, usually result in a cold. Get “NAZOL.” No cold is Nazol-proof. 60 doses Is fid. Chemist* and stores.—Advt. Luring 1620 them were 3,000,000 term of coal sold for consumption outside of the Union of South Africa and 470 tons were vmported, and from present indications these conditions will prevail, since South Africa can produce an abundance of coal to meet all demands. . “ Marshall’s Pure Malt Vinegar u the best. All Grocers.—Advt.