RUSSIA AND THE HAGUE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16737, 19 May 1922, Page 5

RUSSIA AND THE HAGUE.

MEETING PLACE OPPOSED.

AMENDMENT RIGHTS RESERVED. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. GENOA, May 17. The First Sub-Commission hae adopted the proposal that the next conference meet at The Hague. The Dutch representative undertook to afford the Soviet all facilities. It was decided that the truoe should remain in force for four months after The Hague meeting. The final plenary session will be held on Friday morning, after which the Empire delegates will return to London. M. TCHTTOTTERIN* S BPEEOH. INI. Tohitcherin, in a statement before the Sub-Oommision, said that the appointment of two commissions at The Hague seemed to the Russian delegation to be unfortunate, because it would .perpetuate the Genoa situation. Nevertheless, the Russians accepted the proposal to meet at the Hague. He protested against Germany’s exclusion, as the question of credits did not come within the Rapallo agreement. He would have much preferred to meet at Stockholm or Riga, hut was ready to go to London or Rome. He welcomed the truce, which would apply to all allied Soviet republics. He would have been glad to see the scope broadened so as to include raiding hands such as that of AVrangel's, and begged that- such raiders be removed to distant countries. Mr Lloyd George interjected : “ What countries? Not ours!” M. Tohitcherin said he reserved the right to suggest amendments later. He was anxious that the Sub-Commission should recommend the control of zones on the frontiers so as to prevent “ incidents.” There was a certain amount of discussion as to whether the truce would hind the Far Eastern republics. Count Ifihii wished to he clear on this point. MR LLOYD GEORGE’S REPLY. Mr Lloyd George said he wished the pact would apply to Asiatio as well a 9 European frontiers. Speaking to M. Tchitcherins statement. Mr Lloyd George declined to deal with the question of German admission, but. he said, when it came to dealing witli the Commission’s report. Germany would have an equal chance of participation. Neither Rome nor London was agreeable to the British delegation. It was desirable that the work of the Commission should not be prejudiced by what had happened at the Genoa discussions. The Hague had an international aspect, and should not bo coloured by what had happened at Genoa, where so wide a divergence had occurred as to make agreement impossible. The plan was now to see if the experts could find a solution of the problems presented by the rival svstems. Undoubtedly the difficulty had been the gulf between these systems. He believed the existence of Russian peasant land ownership was bringing about some approximation of the rival systems. It was unfortunate that May 1 occurred in the middle of the Conference, and he believed the May Day demonstration at Moscow had a repercussion on Genoa. There certainly would be two commissions sitting at The Hague. He begged M. Tohitcherin to look upon the organisation as a practical thing, and not to make difference* oi r er the form of it. He thought too much had been made of Wrangel’s hands, which were a greater trouble to the countries harbouring them than Ihey had been to Russia. The latter country gained enormously by the fact that all countries were bound by the truce, thus giving a chance for things to calm down in both Russia and elsewhere. Nothing amused him more thou the way in which statesmen compared the inoffensiveness of their own statesmen with the wickedness of others. M. iVhiteberin wanted them to believe the Russian leaders possessed all the Christian virtues while the other countries were always plotting and scheming. He hoped that, when the truce was signed, all would keep it. A GAMBLE AT GENOA, LONDON, May 17. Viscount Grey, in a letter to the National Liberal Federation, said the Genoa Conference provided an example of what should be avoided in order to secure the end desired. A close understanding with France and co-operation ''f the United States were desirable. Supporters of tbe Prime Minister hod acclaimed the Genoa Conference to his political discredit and this had created an impression that it. in some way, was connected with domestic politics. The chances of success were thus impaired- Frapce was filled with dis trust and the United States refused t<> participate. The Genoa Conference thus became a sort of international gamble- A close understanding with France and the goodwill of the United States were th» only sound foundation /or economic and financial reconstruction. 'The Coalition Government was

a source of instability and danger vvhen continued long after the war. REPRESENTATION OF NEW ZEALAND. LONDON. May 17. Sir Francis Bell has gone to Genoa at the invitation of Mr Lloyd George to represent New Zealand during the last days of the Conference. Sir .tames Allen is participating* in the Lepgue of Nations financial conference at - - Geneva.