SLEEPING-CAR CONFERENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16705, 10 April 1922, Page 5

SLEEPING-CAR CONFERENCE.

FRENCH AND BRITISH PREMIERS. EXCHANGE OF VIEWS. By Telegraph—Prose Association —Copyright-. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. \ LONDON, April 8. M. Poincar© and M. Bar thou. Minister of Justice, met Mr Lloyd George i when ho was on route, for Genoa, and conferred in the train between Gare du Nord. and Gar© de Lyon. The Paris correspondent of the : “Daily •Chronicle” says the meeting between Air Lloyd Georg© and M. Poincare, which will he known as the AVagon-lit (sleeping-car) Conference, j proved most cordial. Air Lloyd George laughingly assured ' M. Poincare that, in spite of what-' ever ilie French papers said, he still; represented English democracy. He \ added, that if the Genoa Conference > proved abortive owing to French recalcitrancy it. would do France much damage in England. He begged M. Poincare to weigh well the con.se- i quences of a negative or passive attitude. M- Poincare replied that Afr Lloyd George could rely on France's cordial support while the terms of the Boulogne agreement were adhered to. Mr Lloyd George afterwards said : that as a result of the meeting he had

a. firm conviction that the Genoa Con ference would be a great success.

BRITISH FOREIGN POLICY.

LONDON, April 8. Air Winston Churchill, speaking at Dundee, said the keynote of the British foreign policy was the production of a. good understanding between Franco and Germany, but the former must be assured she would not he left unaided in event of unprovoked German aggression.

PEACE IDEALS,

IT ALT A N PERM TER OPTIMISTIC. ROME, April 7. Signor Facta, the Italian Premier, interviewed, said the Italian Government viewed the Genoa Conference as the highest conceivable manifestation of. peace ideals, representing the sincerest determination on the part of the victors and vanquished to collaborate in the reconstruction of Europe. It was imperative that Europe should leave behind the passions of war and initiate a. mutual policy of reconstruction and re-establishment between her peoples. He was confident nothing would occur to mar the tranquility of the Conference, which would brighten Europe’s future.

CONSORTIUM PROPOSAL

OPPOSED BY RUSSIA. GENOA, April 7. AT. Tchitcherin interviewed, said he approved particularly of Air Lloyd George’s desire, to reduce European armaments, which would achieve practical results. Russia, while seeking European aid in reconstruction, would resolutely oppose the Cannes plan of a foreign-controlled consortium, calcy- I la ted to encroach upon the Soviet’s sovereignty. Tt would be impossible to conclude an economic agreement unless Russia’s judicial existence were recognised. I*rotesting against the French attitude towards the Soviet Al. Tchitcherin said it depended upon France whether the Soviet would be compelled to enter combinations opposed to j French policy. Tlie Soviet was pro- j pared to recognise Russia's debts, but j would insist on receiving reparations j for the devastation wrought by the j White armies which were supported by j the Allies.