GENOA CONFERENCE

Otago Witness, Issue 3555, 2 May 1922, Page 19

GENOA CONFERENCE

GENOA, April 21. Germany’s Note accepting expulsion from the First Commission dealing with Russia states that she desires to continue to sit on the Commissions which are to deal with all other affairs. The Germans said that they had recognised the Soviet long ago, and ’ the treaty had been prepared for weeks. The Germans were ready to continue to Kelp to make the Conference a success and to re-establish relations between the East and the West. The German Note adds: “The Germans were pressed to sign an agreement with Russia as their interests had been neglected by London, and if they had not accepted the Russians might have been asked for i 'densome reparation.’’ THE RUSSIAN REPLY. GENOA, April 2i. The Russians, in reply, said: “We are still of the opinion that the present economic position of Russia should fully justify the complete release of Russia from all her obligations mentioned in the Allied proposals by reason of her counter-claims. However, the Russian delegation is prepared to make a further step towards a solution of the adjustment of differences by accepting the points laid down, provided adequate help is given to her to recover from her present economic state. If this is done she is willing to restore any property nationalised or withheld, or, where this is impossible, to satisfy otherwise their claims. Foreign financial help is absolutely essential for the economic reconstruction of Russia. Without it the Russian delegates are unable to see their way to saddle their country with debts which cannot be discharged. Further, the Russian Government cannot admit liability for its predecessors’ debts until the Soviet has been formally recognised by the Powers concerned.”—(Signed), Tchitcherin. QUESTION OF GUARANTEES. GENOA, April 22. At a meeting of the First Sub-eommitte M. Barthou pointed out that the Russian reply exacted recognition de jure in return for the recognition of debts, while the Cannes resolution stood without that qualification. The poin t, however, was not pressed. It is probable that financial assistance to Russia will take the shape of credits, not a loan. One of the first delegates to greet the King of Italv aboard the warship Comte Cavour was M. Tchitcherin, who, discarding Soviet clothes, wore an immaculate frock coat and silk hat. Large crowds cheered the King when he was passing through the troop-lined streets. VATICAN AND SOVIET. GENOA, April 22. The Vatican has resumed relations with the Soviet. They have signed a treaty under which the Soviet admits Jesuits and Franciscans into Russia. This is interpreted as the Vatican’s first step towards bringing the Russian Orthodox Church under the Roman Church. COMMON STANDARD DESIRABLE. „ GENOA, April 22. The Conference suffered a further shock when it was reported that France had sent a Note to the Powers declaring that the Russo-German treaty violated the Versailles Treaty, At the outset it looked as if a major crisis had arisen. The British delegation was hastily summoned, followed later in the day by a meeting of the five big and the four small Powers, at which M. Barthou argued that

tions, to say nothing of the other treaty engagements with Germany, and that it would be incompatible with Trench dignity the treaty contravened the Cannes resoluto continue to co-operate with the German delegates on Russian affairs. The French delegation also referred to the Russian comments on the London experts’ report. M. Barthou declared that French exports could not sit on an expert committee appointed to deal with M. Tchitcherin’s reply until these comments had been discussed. Mr Lloyd George pointed out that tue comments were unofficial and were merely issued in the press as Russian propaganda and as part of their normal activity: He added that the Russians admitted that the comments applied to their past opinions and not to their present one’s. Mr Lloyd George declared that he wished to get on with the Conference instead of having time taken up with the crisis, otherwise he would have to explain to the British Empire, and the world generally who was responsible for these delays. After further discussion, the meeting broke up in apparently a happy frame of mind. It is proposed to resume the general work to-morrow. RUSSO-GERMAN INCIDENT CLOSED. GENOA, April 23. Ten Rowers met and signed a reply to the Germans. Mr Lloyd George said that the British Empire was anxious to work closely with the Allies for the cause of peace, on which they were determined, but he feared that the co-operation of some of tile Allies tended the other way. He was determined to surmount the obstacles in the way of peace. M. Barthou stated that France desired peace, and welcomed Mr Lloyd George’s words. France meant to work loyally with the Allies on behalf of peace. Mr Lloyd George said that, although the German incident was closed, points in the treaty had yet to 6e raised on the Russian Commission. The reply expresses satisfaction at the withdrawal of Germans from the Russ.an Commission, but adds: “The German excuses are not justifiable until the treaty is signed. It is not suggested that the London proposals do not afford a basis for discussion; but the Powers reserve the right to declare void clauses in the treaty which are contrary to existing treaties. The situation has become more serene. After consultation between the 10 Powers this morning, M. Bratiano (on behalf of the Little Entente and Poland) said that the recent signing of the German and Russian Treaty had emphasised the need for solidarity amongst those who wished to establish peace. Allied co-opera-tion was essential to Europe’s stability. Mr Lloyd George agreed with M. Brati ano. He said that he felt bound in duty to his people to make it ouite clear that the British Empire was set on peace. M. Barthou welcomed the statement. The. reply to Germany emphasised that there was no justification for the German statement that grievous difficulties for Germany had been created by the London experts’ reports. They had merely created a basis for discussion wherein Germany had the fullest opportunity of participating. DOMINION DELEGATES’ OUTSPOKEN. GENOA, April £>. The British dominion representatives, at a meeting of the Empire delegation, took a strong line regarding the irritating delays which were caused by the springing of the recent crisis. Their outspokenness on the subject largely influenced Mr Lloyd George’s declaration that he would let the world know who was responsible for the trouble.

If the conference survives these various shocks it will 1 be entirely due to Mr Lloyd George’s dexterity in handling the troublesome elements. RUSSIA AND ITALY. ROME, April 23. The newspapers record a cordial conversation between King Victor Emmanuel and M. Tchitcherin. t THE LITTLE ENTENTE. LONDON, April 23. There is good ground for saying that Poland, Czecho-Slovakia, and Rumania are prepared to sign a similar agreement with Russia if the conference fails to evolve a united agreement. SIR JOSEPH COOK’S VIEWS. LONDON, April 24. _Sir Joseph Cook (Australian High Commissioner), interviewed by the Australian Press Association at Genoa, said that the Conference had made good progress during the last_ fortnight, though there had been many interruptions and crises. Almost every day bro.ught some surprise. '‘Europe is still nerve-racked,” said Sir Joseph Cook, “and the diplomatic machinery works on the highest gear, the slightest intrusion causing trouble. Besides, it is easy to put grit in the machinery, thus causing trouble, and it is to be feared that those who do not love the Conference are inconveniently at large. It says much for the Conference's spirit that these obstacles, have been moved firmly and promptly out of the way, but they take time and try the temper and consume the energies of the principals. Nevertheless, the whole front moves forward. Already several supremely important objectives are in sight. I would rather not specify them at the moment* further than to say that they promise a firmer and better peace, firmer and steadier exchanges, and sounder business throughout Europe. It is essentially a business and not a talking conference. There is a little less limelight than on some previous occasions, but more concentrated searchlight is thus thrown on the things that really matter in the world’s life and progress.” FRANCE S POLICY. PARIS, April 24. M. Poincare, addressing the Meuse Council General, said that France would remain at the Genoa Conference only on condition that she was not called upon to .make concessions either to Germany or to Soviet Russia. It was indispensable that the Allies sh#uld retain /control of Germany’s armaments. When Germany was completely disarmed France would gladly follow suit. The new situation resulting from the Russo-German Treaty was one of the most formidable since the armistice. It must be examined in conjunction with 'the Allies. France was determined to preserve everything she had gained under the Treaty of Versailles.

M. Poincare, in a speech, declared that if Germany does not complv with the programme of the Reparations Committee by May 51 the Allies, or, if necessary, France alone, will take the coercive measures authorised bv the treaty. M. Poincare hopes for the Allies’ support, hut intends to uphold the French cause with complete independence.

31. Poincare said that France would only remain at Genoa conditionally upon no concessions being made to Germany or to Russia. Whatever happens at Genoa the Allies must soon examine the -new situation which has been created by the Rapallo Treaty, which constituted the most formidable problem since the armistice. France insisted on the execution of the Versailles Treaty-, which could be obtained only by methodical action and not by precipitate acts. How imprudent French disarmament would be after the conclusion of the Rapallo Treaty, which might embody a direct menace to Poland and an indirect menace to France. The Allies must retain effective control of Germany’s armaments and aviation. - When Germany completely disarmed France would gladly follow suit.

Tire newspapers aenerallv acclaim M. Poincare’s speech, in which he declared that coercive measures would be taken if Germany dees not complv with the Reparations Committee’s programme bv May 31. but no paper advocates that France should take action alon'e. The desire is expressed that if action be found' necessarv France should be supported bv the Allies: but if that is impossible, France must act alone, and vig-orou-Jy. The Dailv Chronicle describes M. Poincare’s speech as “sabre rattling.” LORD BIRKENHEAD'S VIEWS. GENOA. April 24. Lord Birkenhead, attired in flannels and a yachting cap. addressed British-American newspaper men. He said that everyone should bring a contribution, not carping criticism, to the Cotiferenye. The three commissions were doing great work, which “tultified the efforts of those who looked for the failure of the Conference. He already Saw reasons for hoping that the late war might conceivably he really the last. They must not regard the Bolshevists as fools. If they were they would not have retained for so long unchallenged control of so large an area of country. The H migaria-ns denied that they had signed a ireatv with Germany, but he believed there had been some discussions on tbe snbiect. Whatever views we had on the subject of Russian Government, we must recognise it, was a commonplace of international law that everv nation was entitled to own its form of Government. The, first condition to reconstruction was to bring Russia under some kind of fundamennl polity so as to enable her to resume relations with other countries. Lord Birkenhead added that he understood the Economic Commission had arrived at, important recommendations regarding the prohibition of imports which had hitherto hampered trading. He regretted that a section of the British press had not written a single word to aid the Conference. It, would be a tragedy if it failed.

ODD WAY OF SHOWING CO OPERATION.

GENOA, April 25. M. Poincare’s speech is regarded as a serious declaration, especially as if was made without consultation with the Allies. All that M. Poincare said about co-opera-tion with the Allies is cordially endorsed by the British Government. The only comment of moment is that the French declaration that they will take action in certain eventualities whether the Allies act or not is an odd way of showing co-opera-tion. French opinion is anxious over the Russo-German agreement, and that is reacting on the Genoa Conference. French opinion is apparently convinced that the agreement is the outcome of the Genoa Conference, and that feeling is being fostered by mis-statements in the French and English press, which indicate that Britain is negotiating -with Russia without consulting France. RECOGNITION OF WAR DEBTS REFUSED. GENOA, April 25. The Russians have presented new claims, refusing to recognise war debts, demanding a moratorium of 30 years for the payment of interest on pre-war debts, refusing to recognise the principle of private proprietorship in property, because the Soviet regime is one of nationalisation, and claiming all Russian property in Europe. . The experts are astounded by the claims, and obtained an adjournment for the purpose of consulting the various Governments.

M. Tchitcherin, dealing with the Russian financial claims, states that it is impossible for Russia to yield on the question of private property, but the Soviet Government is prepared to grant ex-owners long leases or to permit them to participate in mixed companies for the administration of their former properties. The meeting of experts produced another hitch. The Russians presented seven points in answer to the London experts’ report. The meeting adjourned, as the Russian views expressed in elucidating tne points were regarded as inadmissible. The experts are now drafting a report regarding the Russian- views.

LAND AND WATER TRANSPORT. GENOA, April 25. The sub committee oil land and water transport has completed its work. It endorsed the principles of the Barcelona and Ponterosa Conferences and recommends that the latter be made applicable to all European Powers;. also that the railway experts of Europe be summoned to roordinate*and improve international traffic and that the League of Nations be asked to keep an eye on the political side of the conference’s operations. MR LLOYD GEORGE'S APPEAL. GENOA, April 25. Mr Lloyd George authorised the transmission of the following appeal to the British public : —“Do not accept the statements which are appearing in The Times and the Daily Mail regarding the conference until I have the opportunity of dealing with them in Parliament. M. Poincare’s speech regarding reparations is a most serious declaration, and was made without consultation with the Allies. It is not calculated to improve co-operation among the Allies. It has nothing to do with Genoa ; but French opinion is being inflamed by mis-statement, alleging that the British are pursuing a policy of secret talks. Our policy is this :We have no quarrel with the Russian people; we do not fear a German and Russian menace-, but we are determined to prevent Europe from again becoming a shambles. We want to adopt an open and humane policy. The attitude of the delegates towards a settlement makes the work difficult. We cannot continue to bargain.” Mr Lloyd George submitted the draft of a pact which is patterned on the lines of the Pacific Treaty. Ttie preamble emphasises the necessity for maintaining European peace by general disarmament. Article 1 pledged the Powers to abstain from aggression towards each other and to consult each other if European peace is threatened. The Premier of Czecho-Slovakia has drafted counter-proposals including the foregoing and providing in addition that the Powers associate locally and arrange to enforce the maintenance of treaties. Tile proposals assert that European peace cannot be formally concluded at the Genoa Conference, which is only empowered to submit recommendations to the participating Governments; secondly, that- the signature to a general European pact will not precede the conclusion of local pacts ; and finally that the Little Entente declares that the conclusion of an agreement between them and France is conditional on the previous conclusion of the FrancoBritish Convention previously discussed. FRIENDLY NON PARTICIPATION. WASHINGTON, April 26. Tbe Government has not changed its attitude of friendly non-participation in the Genoa arrangements. BITTER ANTI-FRENCH FEELING. BERLIN, April 26. M. Poincare’s speech, which was delivered at Bar-Le-Duc, has evoked intens* bitterness. The press which represents the Right Party, which has observed a truce since the Genoa, Conference, is now rabidly Nationalist and anti-French. The Kreuz Zeitung heads a leading article “Poincare’s Declaration of War,” and predicts that French troops will occupy Rhineland on May 31. Germany, it says, is unable to offer military resistance, but she can practice passive resistance. The paper advises the Government t-o pay up the sums which are due for reparations.

QUESTIONS OF FINANCE. GENOA, April 26. The Russian situation is still not clear. The Russians asked that the bank balances in the various countries during the Czarist regime should be surrendered, but this demand is countered bv the fact that the Soviet has not restored private property held under the old regime. The position at present is that t’ie Experts Committee is preparing a v; hnuinous proces verbal of the meeting, at which the Russian claims and offers will be discussed. These minutes will require to be signed by those who are engaged on the discussion before work is resumed. The proces verbal deals with questions 1 to 7 of the London experts’ report. The Russians take the view that if the Germans are excluded from the first Commision tile Poles should similarly be excluded, because thev concluded an agreement with Russia more wide-reacliing than the Russo-German agreement. In no circumstances will tlic Russians permit any third Power to interfere with their tieaties.

The Poles deny the Russian allegation, declaring that what thev signed at Riga was merely a protocol which declared the de jure recognition of the Soviet was desirable, hut nothing so far had been done to give effect to it.

There are grave misgivings whether the question of private property can be overcome. It cuts clegn across the Russian policy of nationalisation. If a modus vivendi on this point can be reached the rest of conference’s work will be fairly easv.

M. TCHITCHERIN’S EXPLANATION. PARIS, April 26. M. Tchitcherin, interviewed, said that a general agreement as envisaged at the beginning of the conference was np longer possible. Tbe obstacle was Russia’s fundamental principles regarding the non-ex-istence of private property. The chief object of the Genoa Conference was the establishment of an international regime permitting co-operation with Russia and other countries. For that object reciprocal abstention from interference in international affairs was indispensable. Unfortunately the European States desired to impose measures which in Russia would be entirely contrary to their legislation. Russia was not disposed to sign with each nation at Genoa an agreement similar to the Rapallo Treaty. DEMANDS FORMULATED. GENOA, April 26. The Allied Note to be presented to the Russians to-morrow is practically an ultimatum demanding unequivocal replies to the four principal Powers regarding, first, the payment of war debts either entirely or with a reduction based on Russia’s capacity to pay; secondly, tbe payment of pre-war debts with the granting of a necessary and reasonable moratorium; thirdly, an indemnity for all damages caused to foreigners: fourthly, restitution of confiscated property. The Allies are drawing up other points.* An endeavour will be made to force Russia to reply at the earliest possible moment in order to close the conference before May 10. The Political Committee is the only one which has m.J,, finished its work. All the others have practically terminated theirs by enlarging tne decisions taken by previous conferences and leaving the League of Nations to put them into effect. PACT OF D EACE. GENOA, April 26. Tbe rumours that Mr Lloyd George is returning to England are untrue. He intends to remain until the political aspect of the conference is settled one way or the other and a definate basis established. The Australian Press Association’s Genoa correspondent says that some of the French and Italian papers publish what purports to be the Text of Mr Lloyd George’s pact of peace; but the document does not come from the British delegation, and does not represent their views. A rough draft of the pact has been prepared and submitted to several heads of the delegations, who have approved of it in principle. RECONSTRUCTION AT THE ENEMY’S EXPENSE. PARIS, April 26. M. Millerand (President) in an important declaration at Phillippeville, North. Africa, said that France will not allow her rights to be questioned. She does not. aim at domination, but thinks her reconstruction ought to nroceed at the enemy’s expense, k ranee is ready to resume relations with Russia when the Soviet recognises the former regime’s debts, restores the damage done to personal property, and guarantees private rights. The Allies should render harmless all clauses of the Russo-German Treaty clashing with the Versailles Treaty. Informal conversations will be begun on the pact against aggression. Mr Lloyd George had lengthy conversations with M. Barthou and other delegates with a view to collecting various opinions. Thus far there is a general desire for a pact. Russo-German opinions have not yet been obtained. MR LLOYD GEORGE'S WARNING. APPEAL TO AMERICA. GENOA, April 27. M» Lloyd George, in addressing the journalists, took a most serious view of the European situation. He said they were on the edge of a volcano, and unless the Genoa Conference succeeded, probably he and other grey-headed persons present would see a storm break. The clouds on the horizon were growing bigger daily, and Europe might be again devastated. He appealed to America, which would, willy-nilly, be forced to interest herself in Europe for the maintenance of peace. The Genoa Conference would fail unless the peace pact was agreed to. Mr Lloyd George added: “We must show restraint in the hour of triumph^

otherwise Europe will again welter in blood within the lifetime of those whose hair is now grey. That is why I wrought to make Genoa a success. I am alarmed at the storms which are gathering over Europe. They may not break immediately, but they wili do so inevitably unless the atmosphere can be cleared. I am amazed at the people who ignore these portentous facts, and concentrate on selfish trivialities. Frankly, I wish America were here. Her very aloofness from these European problems would give her the right to speak with authority. Her aid would have been invaluable, as her voice would have been the voice of peace, conciliation, and goodwill, but it is too late. America is not here, and Europe must do its best to solve its problems in its own way.” Mr Lloyd" George urged the press of. both countries to lo its utmost to help the conference to a successful issue. The Germans arc delighted at Mr Lloyd George’s speech, declaring that it is the best exposition of the European situation yet made. The Australian Press Association's correspondent at Genoa says that Mr Lloyd George’s speech to the journalists was most impressive. He said that the conference was the greatest and the most important ever held. Whether it succeeded ©r failed, it was bound to have a lasting effect upon the future of the Continent, and would affect other continents to a greater degree than any other conference in the history of the world. The question whether carnage shall cease in Europe depended on this conference. Some people were impatient because solutions were not found in a single fortnight. The Washington Conference took three months, and it was worth every hour. The whole of the frontiers of Eastern Europe, from the Baltic to the Black Sea, were unsettled. Every one of them involved the possibility of a terrible conflict. ‘‘The racial lava of Eastern Europe,” continued Mr Lloyd George, “is boiling with the possibilities of conflicts which would draw in the whole of Europe, and might even involve distant America. Then yon have Russia and Germany in a state ©f semi-antagonism to the rest of Europe. Anybody who imagines that you can permanently keep down these two great peoples, representing two-thirds of the people of -Europe, must either be blind or Blinkered. The Russo-German agreement is a revelation to some people. I ventured to give a warning a long time ago as to what was inevitable unless there was j good understanding. When a hungry Russia is equipped bv an angry Germany, bow long will it be before Europe is devastated if that should represent the policv of any European combination. sor the moment we belong to a dominant and triumphant group, but these things do not last for ever. If our victory should degenerate into oppression, if it is tinctured or tainted by selfish interests, if the conscience of mankind feels that we have abused the triumph which God placed in our bands, then vengeance will inevitably follow, just as it followed in the wake of the act bv Germany which outraed the world’s moral sense.” SUPREME COUNCIL TO MEET. PARIS. April 27. The Matin says that M. Poincare has accepted in principle Mr Lloyd George’s proposal that the Supreme Council should meet at the earliest possible moment. M. Poincare will probably demand that the meeting shall be held in Paris, and not in Genoa. He is prepared to meet the Allies before M. Millerand’s return if necessary. The Supreme Council will probably meet on Mav 5. The Germans will be invited to attend. GERMAN REPARATIONS. PARIS, April 27. M. Barthou points out that Mr Lloyd George’s programme iwduded the. discussion of possible sanctions on May 31 ll the Reparations Commission notifies Ger many’s default. The view taken in Paris is that acceptance of a discussion on re parations sanctions prior to the end o! May would be likely seriously to prejudict the Commission’s decisions. April 28.

M. Poincare definitely states that he cannot accept the suggestion that the reparations questions should be examined fundamentally at Genoa by an InterAllied Commission, all the more so because the Reparations Commission is dealing with the matter, and it would not be possible to accuse Germany of violating the Treaty until after May 31. His acceptance would only have the effect of prejudicing the work of the commission, which alone can consider the necessary measures. RUSSO-GERMAN MILITARY TREATY. LONDON, April 27. The German Embassy in London has issued an emphatic denial of the rumours that secret negotiations are proceeding with a view to the conclusion of the Russo-German Military Treaty, under which it is alleged Germany w-ould man the Russian warships and train the Red armies. SITTING OF FIRST COMMISSION POSTPONED. GENOA, April 26. The sitting of the First Commission was postponed owing to the Allies’ non-agree-ment regarding Russia.. GERMANY WILLING TO COOPERATE. GENOA, April 28. It is stated that if M. Poincare refuseto come to Genoa the Allies are preparec to meet without him. Herr Rathenau declares that German} will willingly enter a pact of peace. It is authoritatively stated that Mi Lloyd George is determined to open al questions in regard to reparations at r meeting of the versai'les signatories.

PAYMENT OF PRIVATE DEBTS. GENOA, April 28. Apropos of the Russian attitude. M. Tchitcherin states that it is impossible for Russia to surrender on the question of the payment of private debts when the bourgeois Governments not participating in the conference are not disposed to make similar concessions. Hence the failure of the conference seems inevitable. It is being stated that there is a possibility that the Russians will meet Italian views, and will submit the Allies’ demands to Russian public opinion, returning for another conference in two or three months. ITALIAN PRESS PESSIMISTIC. ROME, April 26. Press views of conference are increasing in pessimism. The Messagero quotes a delegate of one of the great Powers as likening the conference to a powder barrel to which many are approaching with lighted matches. The Tempo declares that all remaining illusions have vanished and an anti-French coalition is being formulated. BASIS- OF ASSISTANCE TO RUSSIA. LONDON, April 28. Mr Wickham Steed, the special representative of The Times at Genoa, in a message from Genoa, says that it is no longer accurate to call the Allied document abo-ut to be presented to the Bolslfevists an ultimatum. It appears now to be almost a draft convention, consisting of a preamble and outlining the assistance the European States are prepared to give the Bolshevists, such as export credits and restoration of railway and maritime communications. The Bolshevists are asked to recognise the public debt, damages suffered by foreigners, and the return of private property to former owners, also a reduction, not a cancellation, of war debts. The crucial question is, will the Bolshevists accept? Perhaps they are bluffing. - At present the chances are against their accepting. Dr Wirth last evening eulogised the Russo-German treaty. He said it was a model agreement for the proletariat of the whole world. M. Tchitcherin applauded it as the first treaty in history drawn up in an evangelical spirit “KAISER OF PEACE. LONDON, April 29. Mr J. L. Garvin’s despatches from Genoa continue to express whole-hearted irritation at the French attitude. His opinions are important as likely to be reflecting the feelings 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 dreads it. M. Poincare clings to the formula of Allied domination, winch means French domination. He will neither come to the Conference nor keep out. 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- he discussed from top to bottom.” 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. j Poincare, who insists that M. Barthou must stick to his instructions. M. BarUiou 1 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 of the French delegation.

AUSTRAL 1A N IN TK BE STS. 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. Tire recommendations are natural! v 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 for 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 I discussion on the French and British drafts jof Notes to the “Soviet continues. I t is ! understood that there is very little difference between the two documents. Both | make it clear that the Russians must acj cept the Cannes resolutions as a whole. I not in part. I j CONFIDENCE IN PRIME MINISTER. ROME, April 28. | The Right Hon. ,T. H. Thomas (Labour), I interviewed, said the British public supj ported Mr. Lloyd George’s attitude at j Genoa- It had grown tired of tfie j French Government’s attitude, which was ! seemingly aiming at breaking up the con--1 ference, from which the world awaited most important results.

3IGNOR 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 the battlefields. They arise unexpectedly, and eventually result in a clearing of the atmosphere. They must be overcome with resolution and perseverance. As the conference has overcome the earlier difficulties, so' it will the later ones.” PROPAGANDA AND LOANS. GENOA, April 29. M. Tchitcherin has written to Signor Facta requesting the reason for the delay in summoning the first commission, declaring that if it is not convenient and no reply is received to the Russian letter of April 20 to Mr Lloyd George accepting the conditions he will be compelled to withdraw the offer. 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 that 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, beveral countries are prepared to form a consortium providing an initial capital ol £20,000,000, while some comitates 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 ana 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 enterOnly two articles of the Note have been completed, and -it is not likely to be handed to the Russians before the early part of the week. The first article deals with propaganda. . It has been decided that the Soviet must refrain from propa-' danda, 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 methodof 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 toe American Supreme Court The question was referred to the Legal Experts Committee.

M. BRATTANO’S ACTIVITY. LONDON, April 29

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 m the Note dealing with private properties, and efforts are being made to devise a formula which, while not hurting the sensitiveness of the Bolshevists, will give the Allies the guarantees they require. • HUNGARY AND RUSSIA. WASHINGTON, April 29. Count Szeehenhi, 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.