THE HAGUE CONFERENCE

Otago Witness, Issue 3566, 18 July 1922, Page 21

THE HAGUE CONFERENCE

RUSSIAN SHIFTINESS. THE HAGUE, July 10. At a meeting of the Credits Commission, M. Krassin made the important declaration that while, owing to the exchange crisis, it was utterly impossible for Russia to permit absolute free trade, she was willing that all trades should not Tie placed under a State monopoly. The Soviets would organise buving and selling bureaux in the chief foreign cities ana have goods collected at these bureaux. Russia was willing to give concessions for 25 years in connection with 8,000,000 acres of most fertile land near the sea. July 11. A'frtrt from M. Krassin’s statement, every effort to elicit anything definite from the Soviet delegates or to oin them down to any clear understanding has failed ; nor can the information supplied to the NonRussian Commission be relied upon. The attitude of the Russians is daily becoming increasingly irreconcilable, and the recent adjournments were apparently the only alternative to an open rupture. M. Litvinoff has been particularly shifty in his replies to various questions regarding credits - ” The weyk opened with an unsatisfactory outlook. The principal delegates spent the week-end examining the list of properties which the Russians are prepared to restore. The delegates agreed that the list was unsatisfactory, as it included only 10 per cent, of the total. It is now explained that M. Krassin’s statement that SO per cent, of the properties of foreigners would be eventually returned is conditional on the eonlusion of an agreement with the Soviet regarding credits, and is dependent oil direct individual negotiations between the owners and the Soviet. This is regarded as unacceptable, as it simply means that owners will be left to the tender mercies of the Soviet. There was much plain speaking at a meeting of the Credits' Sub-commission. The Russians, in a final reply to direct questions, insisted that they wanted credits granted to the Russian State, and not as individuals. They refused to recognise the guarantees inscribed on the face of the bonds issued bv the Russian Governments. July 12. With Sir Philip Lloyd Greame’s announcement that no useful purpose would be served by continuing negotiations with the Russians, the conference has reached a deadlock. It is impossible to carry on the discussion, as the Russians, in replying to all questions regarding restitution and compensation to owners of private property, said : “Give us credits first to restore Russia.” When Sir Philip Lloyd Greame told the committee that he would consult his colleagues and see whether it was worth while to continue the conference, M. Litvinoff replied: “The responsibility for the breaking up of the conference does not pest with us.” It is official!*' stated that there will be no use in continuing the conference on the basis laid down by M. Litvinoff todav. The session ended with a speech by Sir P. Lloyd Greame, who, addressing the Russian delegates, said : "We are all prepared to leave the facts to speak for themselves. You have been invited to state what compensation you are prepared to give and you have declined to accept any obligation, or to make compensations. You have declined to give us the form of any compensation, which vou could make, even if you would, give compensation. If we do not discuss the line of compensation and restoration, all the basis of this conference falls to the ground. It is useless to engage in further discussion.” ADJOURNMENT SINE DIE. LONDON, July 12. The Daily Telegraph’s Hague correspondent telegraphs that unless the Russians alter their attitude the failure of the conference is certain. After Sir P. Lloyd Greame had spoken, M. Litvinoff made the usual shifty indeterminate reply, asking petulantly ’ if any information supplied bv Russian delegations would be acceptable. M. Litvinoff then uttered a number of platitudes, finally admitting, in answer to a question, that if additions were made to the list of properties the Soviets intended to restore, these additions would be unimportant. In this matter the local Soviets had full autonomy. M. Litvinoff bombastically added that Russia had the most stable Governnent in the world. It had existed for five years without change. The Russian Government, he felt sure, was less a risk to foreign capital there than those in any of the capitalistic countries of Europe. In answer to further questions, M. Litvinoff said that Russia did not feel obliged to compensate foreign nationals. He commenced a long harangue to the effect that Britain admitted the right of any Government to nationalise property. Sir P. Lloyd Greame interjected that if property was nationalised there must be real and effective compensation. The meeting adjourned sine die. M. LitvinM’, interviewed later, said that the failure of the conference had been a foregone conclusion for several days. ‘'The non-Russians will now pledge themselves not to make any private settlement with Russia, but it will be a ‘scrap of paper,’ as it is impossible permanently to isolate 150,000,000 people. We fought for five years and are ready to fight for 10 more.” STILL .A HOPE. THE HAGUE, July 13. It is hoped to avert a final breakdown of the conference. The Private Property Commission and Credit Commissions meet to-day, without the Russians. The First Sub committee has decided, in view of the Russian statements at yesterday’s meeting, that no useful purpose would be served by continuing the meetings with the Russians. It was resolved to so report to the Main Committee.

RESTITUTION BEFORE ALL. NEW YORK, July 12. The New York World says: ‘"The collapse at The Hague is final proof that the Soviet cannot obtain the world’s financial help until it agrees to restore the foreign it confiscated. The attitude of the United States Government is thus practically sustained. To-day’s result means that Europe needs Russian grain less than the- financiers need guarantees that Russia will repay her loans.” ALLIES NEXT PROBLEM. LONDON, July 13. The Daily Telegraph’s Hague correspondent says the Conference is at a standstill and it is extremely unlikely that the discussions with Russians will be resumed. It is expected that the energies of the Allied Powers will now be directed to a solution of the problem of Central Europe and the hastening of the recovery of the devastated areas there.