GENOA CONFERENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18545, 4 May 1922, Page 7

GENOA CONFERENCE

PACT OF PEACE. DEPENDENT ON RUSSIA. STATEMENT BY M. BABTHOU. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, May 2. The Australian Press Association’s Genoa correspondent states that M. Barthou left' for Paris, and will return on Saturday. Questioned in reference to a pact of non-aggression, he said that ( if Russia did not accept the terms now about to be submitted it would be useless to go on with a pact without her.—A. and N.Z. Gable. N RAW MATERIALS. - ITALY’S PIOUS EXPRESSION. LONDON, May 1. The Australian Press Association’s Genoa correspondent, discussing raw materials, points out that the Italians had to ,be contented with the pious expression that countries .possessing a superabundance of raw materials would not impose too high an export duty. Although it is likely that they will initiate a full dress discussion when, the report comes before the plenary sitting of the Conference, in order to show the Italian workers that they did their utmost to Sfecure relief, it is unlikely that the Conference will depart from the commission’s recommendations.—A. and N.Z. Cable. CONFISCATED PROPERTY. RUSSIA’S LIABILITY. RESTORATION OR COMPENSATION. FRANCE’S ASTOUNDING ATTITUDE. GENOA; May 3. (Received May 3, at 5.'5 p.m.) > The French attitude caused a sensation yesterday at a meeting of the Political Sub-commission in the afternoon. The Belgians, who were absent previously, en- . deavoured to secure the omission from thedraft of a proposal giving the Russians the option of restoring or paying compensation for private' property. The Belgians demanded restorationi M. Barrel, acting on behalf of M. Barthou, stated that he was instructed from Paris, after M. Barlhou’s departure, that the French approval should not be given until M. Barthou’s return: Mr Lloyd George said that such an announcement was unexpected, as M. Barthou, before departure, was ignorant of Paris’s decision. M. Bai'rel confirmed this view. The Sub-commission adjourned, after which the situation was informally considered. Two suggestions were made—first, that-a telegram, should be sent to the French Government explaining that the draft was approved bv M. Barthou and the other delegations, that it represented a compromise,- and' that to introduce amendments now would necessitate reconsideration de novo, and urging the French Government to confirm it without further amendment; secondly, the possibility of introducing some words in the critical article dealing with private property. to enable the French delegation to let the document go forward. . To-night when the Commission resumed the French moved an amendment to this article adding further Safeguards with regard to the restoration of property. . . - Mr, Lloyd- George said the amendment added weight to the article, which was already overweighted. That addition might well make the difference betweeiT a settlement and non-settlfement. He was profoundly anxious to maintain the cooperation of France, and he would accept the amendment in spite of the., danger* if France agreed to pass the memorandum. He added that failure to agree might mean failure to achieve the pacification of - Eastern. Europe, with consequences upon the regrouping of the Powers which it was impossible to foresee. He appealed to their old Allies and comrades to let the first draft go through. M. Barrel said he was profoundly touched bv the appeal.. His position, was a most difficult one. ’He had clear Instructions not ,to approve until he had re-* ceived instructions from Paris.. The French finally agreed to send the documents to the Soviet with a reservation. The French'did not give their finely approval pending instructions from Paris. Mr Lloyd George then accepted the. amendment.—A. and N»Z. Cable. EUROPEAN COMMERCE. FAVOURED NATION TREATMENT. GOAL TO BE AIMED AT. GENOA, May 3. (Received May 3, at 8,30 p.m.) The Economic Commission adopted the Swiss motion recalling the principles of equitable treatment in commerce contained in article 23 in the. League of Nations covenant. It recommends the resumption 'of commercial relations on the basis of the treaties'of commerce, founded on the one hand on a system of reciprocity • adapted to the special circumstances, and containing on the other hand , the possibility of the most favoured nation clause. A British preamble was qdopted to this motion setting forth that most of the Countries represented at the Conference while recognising the temporary difficulties which may preclude,the general adoption of the. most favoured. nation clause, in all cases affirm, their conviction that this should be the goal to be aimed at. France dissented from the motion, suggesting that Britain .was regarding the favoured nation treatment'too much as_a doctrine and as the only remedy, for/European difficulties. There were other remedies, such as reciprocity and commercial treaties. The Belgians have written to Signor Facta consequent on the Allies’ attitude towards Russia, withdrawing all the offers they made in their preamble to the Note to Russia, including the subscription of £4,000.000 to the consortium. —A. and N.Z. Gable. ARBITRAL COMMISSION. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN. COMPLIMENT TO AMERICA. WASHINGTON, May 2. (Received Mav 5, at 8.30 p.m.) It is stated authoritatively that President Harding favours ex-President Taft’s acceptance of the Genoa invitation to name a chairman for the Arbitral Commission to control Russia’s debts. He interprets .the invitation as a tribute to American fairness. —A., arid N.Z. Cable. AMERICA’S ATTITUDE. A POLITICAL CONFERENCE. The refusal of the United States Government participate in the Genoa Conference was communicated to the Italian Ambassador at Washington by Mr C. E. Hughes, Secretary of State, in the following Note:— “Since the receipt of Your Excellency’s first Note the question of American participation in the proposed conference hha had earnest attention. I you wjll realise that the Government of the United States must take a deep interest in any conference which holds promise of effective measures to . promote the economic rehabilitation of Eurone, since not only do wo keenly, desire the return to prosperity of the peoples who suffered most severely inthe wastes and dislocations of war, but it; is also manifest that there can be no improvement in world conditions in the an- ■ sonce of European recuperation. It is with this sympathetic spirit and with the utmost