GENOA CONFERENCE

Southland Times, Issue 19516, 16 May 1922, Page 5

GENOA CONFERENCE

ANOTHER CORNER TURNED FRANCE AND RUSSIAN COMMISSIONS VIOLENT RUSSIAN NOTE. IJBy Telegraph.—Press* Assn. —Copyright) ([Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, May 14. The Australian Press Association's Genoa correspondent says that only Mr Lloyd George’s skillfulness as a negotiator tided over the Conference’s usual week-end crisis. In the fact of France’s positive determination not to sit with the Russians on. any of the commissions it appeared as if France must finally withdraw from Genoa. France ever since the first invitation to meet the Bolsheviks at Prinkipo in 1919 consistently refused to have anything to do with them. There have been rumours as to a compromise which Mr Lloyd George effected with M. Barthou, but the most reasonable assumption is that he agreed that two commissions should be formed, one consisting of the Russians and the other of the Allies and neutrals. This is a somewhat transparent device to save France’s amour propre, but such a commission must actually sit together if any success is to be obtained. It is quite impossible for both commissions to work by exchanging notes. The next interesting point is what the Russians think of such a scheme. The correspondent says that the three convening Powers have decided that their Governments shall appoint a panel representing the Governments participating at Genoa to meet at The Hague, on June 15, the Russians to appoint a representative to meet this panel. It is understood the Russians declared if such a course is adopted they will refuse to accept. The convening Powers have accepted Mr Lloyd George’s proposal including the truce, all agreeing not to make separate agreements with Russia. The same correspondent states that the convening Powers have decided to ask America if she desires to be represented on the Hague panel. It is clear Russia will be asked to appoint representatives to meet the panel not as a constituent thereof. This is undoubtedly a compromise to meet the French attitude, and a determination to keep Russia on the doormat, and is regarded as not likely to be accepted by Russia. The Daily Express’s Genoa correspondent states: Mr Lloyd George has secured the despatch of an official note to Washington pleading for the active co-operation of America in reconciliation beginning at The Hague. The note says that the world cannot be saved in the East or West withg out America’s aid. I learn reliably from Americans intimate with Washington circles that there has been submitted to the Conference proposals abrogating the Ger-man-Russian Treaty. They also propose the scrapping of all other treaties and to start fresh negotiations with Russia with a clean slate on a basis including the Riga Treaty between Russia, Lithuania and Poland, and any Shell oil agreements. I understand M. Tchitcherin opposes the American suggestions. REPLY TO THE RUSSIANS. NOT SIGNED BY FRANCE OR BELGIUM.

GENOA, May 15. The convening Powers have prepared a reply which was sent to the Russians to* day. The Belgians and French again did rot sign the reply and they will protest strongly against the tone of the Russian note, pointing out that the Russians, having ruined their own country, are little qualified to derate so-called capitalists Powers especially when asking for money. Their note is referred to as stupid and clumsy. VIOLENT NOTE FROM TCHITCHERIN. ALLIES’ PROPOSALS REJECTED. FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS IMPOSSIBLE. GENOA, May 15. (Received May 15, 11.40 p.m.) M. Tchitcherin . sent a note to Signor Sffianzer declaring that the proposals made by the Powers were absolutely unacceptable, and asking for the immediate summoning of the political sub-commission at which the Russains would enlarge their proposals for mixed commissions. Tchitcherin’s letter was strongly worded and caused a sensation in view of his unusual course of refusing point blank before the Powers’ note was even presented. The British and French view is that it is impossible to negotiate with the Russians, who are obviously seeking to break with the Conference. INERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON RUSSIA AMERICA RELUCTANT TO JOIN WASHINGTON, May 15. (Received May 15, 9.55 pan.) The administration will gjve close consideration to the appeal by France that the United States should participate in the proposed international commission to investigate the Russian situation, but it i*s understood that the United States will foe as reluctant to accede to the appeal as to accept the invitation to Genoa. “LEAGUE OF OPPRESSED NATIONS.” (United Service), LONDON, M'xy 13. The Evening News’s Genoa correspondent says a grotesque Conference sidesbjow is the motley array of envoys grandiloqiMjntly selfstyled: “The League of Oppressed Nations of the East,” comprising Anatolians, Egyptians, Palestinians, Syrians, Persians, Bokharans and Indi'Ans, in intervals conspiring with and agairxfit each other. The notorious Enver Pasha is prime instigator of this gathering, whose declared aim is to examine Oriental problems with reference to Europe. His spokesmen are Bekir Sami, whom the Armors Government expelled, also General Hakki Pasha. Mustilpha himself sent as a, delegate Djellallahtm from Angora, but he does not speak to Bekir or Hakki. The first formal act of the Conference was to send a note to the President of the Genoa Conference protesting against Brfrfch control of the Suez Canal. The note was naturally ignored.