GOING STRONG.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16714, 21 April 1922, Page 8

GOING STRONG.

CONFERENCE STILL LIVES. WILL BE A SUCCESS. OPTIMISTIC LLOYD GEORGE By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received April 21, 1.20 p-m.) GENOA, April 20. God is in His heaven; the Conference, still lives, and is going strong ” This was Mr Hloyd George’s optimistic opening in a. brief address to five hundred world’s journalists. . “ There are, 5 * he added, ‘ 4 two sets j of people who regard the Confertmce j from two distinct standpoints. The • first are those desiring its success, and the second are those desiring its failure. The Conference is working successfully, though it has its difficulties. Some of the difficulties, he learned from the Press, were very serious. He sincerely trusted that the Russo-German incident was over, and he hoped to receive :ho Russian reply to-day. He would bo very surprised if the reply were such as not to justify the Conference

Mr L/loyd George stated that he believed the Conference would be a success and terminate in a scheme that would result in the reconstruction »f Europe. The Germans had decided to accept the proposition not to participate in further discussions- of the Russian question. Mr Lloyd George emphasised the gravity of their action in going behind the backs of their col- . leagues, but ho entirely disbelieved that j their action was wilfully desired to wreck the Conference, although it. ; might have so resulted. What would have been said if Britain, France and j Italy had acted similarly? Unless the | Conference produced a pact of peace it would prove a failure. lie defended the informal conversations which occur- i red at the Washington Arms Confer- * ence. They were not merely right and fair, but eminently desirable in order to I clear up misunderstandings. He hoped they would always he held at this or any other Conference. He looked for- I ward to a considerable portion of the \ work at Genoa being carried on by til© j league of Nations.

NO GERMAN OR RUSSIAN REPLIES. LLOYD GEORGE AMD PRESS REPRESENTATIVES. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. 1 Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. I (Received April 21, 12.5 p.ra.) LONDON, April 20. I The Australian Press Association’s ! Genoa, representative says the British delegation conferred this morning. Afterwards it resolved itself into a j meeing with the other Allies and dis- ' cussed the situation. No German or i Russian replies have been received. In- j formal conversations were continued ! this afternoon when the Little Entente j and Portugal participated. Mr Lloyd I George will address the Press represen- ! tatives of the world this evening.

EARLY BREAK-UP EXPECTED. ALLIES WELDED AC AI N. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received April 21. 12.55 p.m.) LONDON, April 20. Later reports from Genoa declare the belief is gaining ground that the Conference may soon break up. M. Theunis said to-dav: “We all wait to depart. The Russia-German treaty lias welded the Allies again, and created a new bloc.” Some foreign circles in London, in close touch with Genoa, confirmed the suggestion that the. Conference would soon end.