PLEDGE FROM THE NATIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16735, 17 May 1922, Page 8

PLEDGE FROM THE NATIONS.

NO MORE TREATIES WITH RUSSIA. KLONDYKE COLD RUSH EXPECTED. By Telegraph—Pre«»R Association—Copyright Australian and' N.Z. Cable Association. (Received May 17, 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 16. The Genoa correspondent of the "Daily Mail,” says: “The Sub-com-mission decided that the pledge required from the States represented at th© Hague Conference, not to conclude arrangemnts with Russia during the life of the conference shall not apply to treaties which they were already negotiating, but shall only forbid new treaties. This follows on the Japanese official confirmation that they are negotiating for a separate treaty with the Moscow Government, including as well as economic clauses, n political clause regarding the evacuation of Siberia. Italy, Sweden, and

Oasecho-Slovakia are also about to conclude economic treaties with Russia/* The correspondent adds: “Everybody believes that immediately the Genoa. Conference, ends there will be .1 Klondike gold-rush of big commercial fintomsts to secure concessions from the Moscow Government. Mr Lloyd George when asked if there was anything in the pledges made by the nations attending the Hague Conference to prevent this, replied. ‘No power on earth can prevent negotiations with private persons/’ AMERICA’S REFUSAL. DOOR BTILL OPEN. T®legrra.ph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received May 1", 1.5 p m.) WASHINGTON', May 16. It is officially stated by the' White Houae that the American Note rejecting The Hague invitation leaves the door open for the participation of the I nited States in the conference programme if modified. It is believed that the United States tvill insist that the Soviets agree to guarantee life and property, the sanctity of contracts, and rights of free labour.

NOTE SUPPORTED.

Telegraph— Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.

(Received May 17, 1.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, May 16. The newspapers generally applaud Hughes's Note, and endorse the Government’s stand that it will not consider recognition of Russia, or enter into negotiations regarding the Soviet until the Bolsheviks institute fundamental reforms. General support is given to the policy, which is expressed further by Mr Hughes that the United States is willing to put its views to a test bj joining an Allied Commission to investigate what is wrong with Russia, and what, are the remedies. < Th© “New York Times’* says: “ Europe will now realise the correctness of the American theory that the basis for the economic reconstruction of Russia and the resumption of international relations lies only in the Soviet’s guarantees. ’ *