SAN REMO CONGRESS.

Timaru Herald, Volume 170, Issue 170205, 1 May 1920, Page 9

SAN REMO CONGRESS.

MR LLOYD GEORGE.

ON RESULTS OF! CONFERENCE.

i Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. I Bj Electric Telecr.'njh—Copyright,. ' • LONDON, April '/9. - In tlie House, of Commons Mr Lloyd George explained the results of the San. Remo conference. He said the misunderstandings were serious enough, and were made more grave by deliberate fomenting by very reckless persons; but the sijy was • again, clear, and all the principals were pleased with- the outcome and the Alliance was placed 011 a firmer basis than ever. The French undoubtedly believed that Britain did hot intend to enforce "the Treaty, especially in regard to reparation and disarmament. The Conference dispelled all such suspicions. Misunderstandings also arose from suspicions created by utterances by very powerful persons in France and the writings of powerful journalists, indicating intention to use delays in the execution of the Treaty for ulterior motives, and the annexation of the Bhineland and the coal areas was openly advocated. .Britain had to make it absolute!}' clear that she would never assent to any such policy. M." Millera nd and his associates' assurance that the vast ma jority of Fjenclimen. were onnosed to such a policy equally with Britain.

GERMANS AT . NEXT CONFERENCE.

German Miuisters had been invited to confer Vvitli Anglo-ITrencli iVfinisters face to face at Spa, so as to make certain that tho discussions would be quite in accordance with the Supreme Council's policy. The questions to lie discussed be,- first, disarmament, then reparation, then the -army of occupation. The real difficulty in getting the terms cf tbo Treaty carried put was that the German Government did not command authority, but the greatest difficulty was that we were dealing with a broken-backed people whose actions were convulsive. It had command of speech', and that was'about all. It was essential to getthe German . gnus and aeroplanes, and the reparations recognised. Germany cannot pay at present, but it was necessary that she should. abandon exasperating evasions of her . liabilities.

The Allies we're goinsr to Spa to make a. definite proposal. The time limit of four i months sifter the signature, of the Treaty conceded to Germany-, ill which | she might submit concrete proposals for the settlement of lier liaiblities, had already- lapsed. . THE RUHR DISPUTE. .The Prime -Minister ; emjihasised' tlv e . fact that the Ruhr dispute was • now entirely cleared up. The Germans were informed that as soon as the troops Sir Ruhr Valley were reduced to th'e-num-ber permitted, by the Allied letter of August ..8 the French- troops would bo withdrawn. The statement' that the French troops would not be withdrawn ■until Germany had disarmed and certain other clauses of the Treaty were enforced was in nowise accurate. The"' Germans must show that they weregrappling with the problem of carrying out the terms of the Treaty. That'was all we asked at present. .*' The Allies were in. complete J accord "mi all these questions. I The Prime Minister denounced attempts to promote discord, due i© personal malignity and disappointed ambition, as criminal.

LATE TURKISH TERRITORIES. • Regarding Turkey, he agreed with M Mil'lerand that it was underisable to outline the proposals until .they had been submitted to the Porte, but. really there was nothing to reveal. There had been no departure from the principles' laid down. He confirmed the statement that the mandate over Syria had been given to France. The mandates over^ Mesopotamia-, including Mosul, and J'aiestine, were given to Britain, and in regard to Palestine-, with full recognition of Mr Balfour's declaration in respect to the Jews. ' ■ .. . The Armenian problem was overwhelmingly difficult, owing to the factthat there was no Armenian populationin vast areas of the country which the Allies would have..liked to allocate to Armenia. If the Allies gave them to Armenia who would enforce the decree? The Premier emphasised that in vie Wof their responsibilities none of the Allies were able to undertake this ■cask, which- would involve a very strong military force, therefore the Allies appealed to America to undertake the mandate over Armenia. .it the United States refused the Allies might; ask Mr Wilson to arbitrate in regard to the boundaries of Armenia.

. RUSSIAN POLICY. The Sail He mo conference practically reaffirmed tho decision, to open trade relations with Russia and ill every way facilitate the sending of peaceable materials to Russia, obtaining the surplus of foodstuffs and raw materials Jrom Russia. The Allies were determined not to accept Litvinoff as a member of the Soviet" delegation in this connection, owing to his abusing Siis privileges in the past.