THE HAGUE MEETING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16735, 17 May 1922, Page 5

THE HAGUE MEETING.

RUSSIA’S POSITION MR LLOYD GEORGE’S THREAT. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. GENOA, May 16. Later at the sub-commission meeting, M. Barthou protested against the appointment of two commissions instead of a mixed one. M. Tohitcherin’s statement, he said, was based on an entire misconception. There Was no Idea of excluding the Russians who were invited to the Hague on a footing of equality. The object of the Allies’ meeting was, in the first case, purely preliminary, while the bar against making agreements applied to other countries than Russia. The sub-commission decided to invite the Russians to attend to-morrow’s meeting. M. Barthou intimated that ths “French delegates would not attend as they had not approved of the original memorandum. M. Jaspar similarly intimated Belgium’s attitude. THE LIMIT REACHED. Other Genoa reports state that Mr Lloyd George declared that if the Russians agreed to the Hague Conference it would involve a prolongation of the Genoa Conference; if they did not the Conference would be finished. Mr Lloyd George and Signor Sohanzer clearly pointed out that the Russians were free to continue negotiations already commenced, for agreements with Sweden, Japan and Czechoslovakia, but the Allies will not sign or make further agreements. Although M. Barthou does not attend to-morrow, he has undertaken, if Russia accepts the Hague scheme, to recommend Paris to adopt the proposal. EXPERTS ONLY. GENOA. May 16. j Mr Lloyd George, addressing the Anglo-American journalists, said the Allied and Russian Commissioners would sit at the same table and discuss proposals but there naturally would be occasions when each would sit separately. It was not his intention personally to attend the Hague and the Allied panel would would probably be confined to experts only. He had handed the proposals to the American |Ambassador with an invitation to America to participate in the Hague Conference. Then he would decide the line of action, without laying down principles, for the panel who would explore whole question. Current negotiations between , European States and Russia would not (be interrupted but new aigreements } would be barred, although there was no power to prevent individuals making agreements. If the Russians refuse the present proposal matters will be at an end. RUSSIA LIKELY TO ACCEPT. M. Rakowski (Ukraine), interviewed, said the Russians would protest against a separate commission and the embargo on separate agreements which was equivalent to a new blockade, but it would be accepted with the other proposals. The Russians would endeavour to change the venue from the Hague to Riga or Stockholm.

INVITATION TO AMERICA REFUSED. PLANS TOO INDEFINITE. WASHINGTON, May 15. The State Department has published a reply to the Allied invitation to attend the Hague Conference. The reply says:—“The United States Government has carefully considered the invitation and is desirous to aid, in every practical way, in a mnsideration of the economic exigencies of Russia but is unable to conclude she can fully participate in the Hague meeting as this would appear to be a continuance, under different nomenclature, of the Genoa Conference and destined to encounter the same difficulties, if the attitude disclosed in the Russian memorandum of May 11 remains unchanged.” The reply points out that the ultimate, inescapable question is the restoration of the productivity of Russia which must be Drovided from within Russia herself, but “ the United States has always been readv to join the Allies for inquiry by experts into the economic situation of Russia and the necessary remedies for that situation. The United States is most willing to give serious a item ion to any proposals issuing from the Genoa Conference or any later conference but regards the present suggestions in apparent response to the Russian memorandum of May 11 as lacking in definiteness., a fact which makes it impossible for the concurrence of the United States in the proposed DISCUSSION IN SENATE. Senator Borah has introduced a resolution into the Senate suggesting the recognition of Soviet Russia. Senators Borah and Hitchcock, dur- ! ing a long debate, discussed the failure of the Genot Conference, for which failure the. former blamed France entirely. Senator Hitchcock said the United States should go to the Hague. Senator Borah agreed, adding that ( this w ns especially so, if German ' reparations and Russian recognition were to be there discussed. It is understood Senator Borah’s resolution will command strong sup- 1

port in the House of Representatives and Senate. REIPLY TO BOLSHEVIK CHARGES Tile Secretarv of Commerce, Mr H C-. Hoover, addressing the International Cliamber of Comraeroe, answered the Bolshevik charge that the attitude of the United States towards Russia was dictated by American trusts anxious to obtain again their property in Russia by- pointing out tha;b the whole value of American property there was less than the money spent by America in charity in Russia. He declared that Russia was dying and could not be restored until production and foreign confidence had returned. MR LLOYD GEORGE’S RETURN. LONDON, May 16. The “ Daily Express.” states that Mr Lloyd George returns on Friday and will at an early date make a speech in the House of Commons regarding the Genoa Conference. GERMAN COMMENT. BERLIN, May 15. The German public is asking where lies the guarantee that the Hague Conference will be more successful than Genoa has been, which has taken five weeks of confabulation and intrigue to produce the Russo-German treaty? The ‘‘Berliner Boerscn-Courier ’’ says: “ The most important result of the Genoa Conference is the fact that the second conference suggests, as the logical result, a permanent conference which will eventually he converted into a world parliament. This idea was first expressed by President Ebert at the Leipzig Fair in March and is becoming the new ideal of the modern German politician.” SIR FRANGIS BELL. REQUESTED TO ATTEND. AUCKLAND, May 16. I Mr Massey has received a telegram from Sir Francis Bell stating that Mr , Lloyd George had telegraphed him requesting his attendance at the Genoa Conference. Sir Francis Bell is accordingly leaving London to-morrow morning for Genoa. Mr Massey added that it would he recollected it had been arranged that* in the event of Sir Francis Bell arriving in Engand in time for the Genoa Conference, he would represent New Zealand. but if not the representation of the Dominion would be trusted to the British delegates.