GENOA CONFERENCE.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIII, 15 May 1922, Page 5

GENOA CONFERENCE.

PANEL APPOINTED. OF TfffiEE CONVENING POWERS HAGUE CONFERENCE PROPOSED Press Assn. —By Tel.—Copyright. London, May 14. The Australian Press Association’s Genoa correspondent says that the three convening powers have decided that their Governments shall appoint a panel representing the Governments participating at Genoa, to meet at the Hague on June 15, the Russians to appoint a representative to meet this panel.

It is understood that the Russians have declared that if such a course is adopted, they will refuse to accept it.

RUSSIAN REPLY ANALYSED. LONDON, May 12. -' e Australian Press Association’s Genoa correspondent states that the Empire after examination ot the document, considers that while It is stupid from the point of view of Russia’s interests, being of propagandist instead of practical value, it affords grounds for a conference to continue to work for the peace of Europe. Undoubtedly so far as help to Russia is concerned, the document delays it, and makes it more difficult.

The delegation is quite prepared to refer the question of credits, debts and private property to a mixed Commission to study the matter in detail.

That seems a practical method of carrying on the study of the Russian problem, although entailing longer delay than was thought necessary. The other great question, peace, can be gone into satisfactorily.

To break on the document would mean that all border States round Russia would be exposed to the danger of war, and the European peace might again be fundamentally disturbed. Russia declares her readiness to enter the peace pact. It is considered that there must be a definite guarantee against propaganda and aggression, while the Commission on the Russian problems is sitting.

This must be reciprocal on the part of all.

The nation’s delegation thinks that while a pact cannot be established for a definite period until the frontiers are settled, it will propose a truce on the existing de facto frontiers. It is believed that there is a good fortnight’s work ahead to bring about such a result.

FEELING OF PESSIMISM. LONDON. May 12. The Australian. Press Association’s Genoa correspondent states that the Russian reply produced something akin to pessimism. It is felt that the Conference has outlived its usefulness, and that the effort suggested by the British to endeavour to secure a truce is merely to prevent the Conference being an entire failure. The suggestion that foreign capitalists have not hesitated to invest capital in Russia, encourages her in the belief that when the Conference terminates whatever its result, there are groups of financiers and commercial men waiting to exploit her resources. This, together with the agreements made with Germany and others, fortifies her against the demands of the Allied politicals. If a truce can be accomplished the Conference will probably adjourn and re-assemble at a future date and at a. place not yet named.

It is understood that France has no objection to a. truce but may raise the question of sanctions to make it effective. DEALING WITH RUSSIA. GENOA, May 12. Mr Lloyd George lunched, with the delegates of Norway, Sweden, Roumania, Switzerland and Japan and assured himself of the general approval by th© neutrals of his scheme for dealing with Russia. This included three mixed commissions dealing with debts, private property and credits. He hopes the debts Commission will get to work at Genoa. Mr Lloyd George is bent on dealing with the problems of the frontiers in order to seal the peace pact. On completion of the work of the Russian Commissions, it is expected that the Conference will adjourn a fortnight hence.

LLOYD GEORGE AS NEGOTIATOR BETWEEN FRANCE AND RUSSIA TWO COMMISSIONS FORMED. London, May 13. The Australian Press Association’s | Genoa correspondent says that only Mr Lloyd George’s skilfulness as a I negotiator tided over the Conference’s usual week-end crisis. In face of France’s positive determination not to sit with the Russians on any commission it appeared as if France must finally withdraw from Genoa. France ever since the first invitation to meet the Bolsheviks at Prinkipo in 1909 has consistently refused tohave anything to do with them. There have been rumours as to a compromise which Mr Lloyd George effected with M. Barthou, but the most reasonable assumption is that he agreed that two commissions should be formed, consisting of Russians and other of the Allies and’ neutrals.

This is a somewhat transparent device to save France’s amour propre, but such commissions must actually sit together if any success is to be obtained. \ It is quite impossible for moth notes ISSi ° nS t 0 W ° rk by exchan £ in g The next interesting point is what the Russians think of such a scheme. LLOYD GEORGE’S PROPOSALS ACCEPTED. London, May 14. x , convening powers have accepted Mr Lloyd George’s proposals, including the truce, all agreeing not RusM? 6 Separate with POINCARE WINS. Mr J | I °NDON, May 13. Mi J. L. Garvin, the “Observer’s” Genoa correspondent says: “A final decision was expected some days ago, but was postponed by shuffling for a few days more. The Conference will be over next week, but may finish

“M. Barthou has returned from Paris with a double ultimatum from M. Poincare, framed to shatter the Con-’ lerence. Poincare has practically issued orders to the Conference of thirtynations in general, and to Lloyd George tn particular.

At first Barthou was instructed support Belgium unconditionally on the pedantic and useless property clause framed regardless of the practical interests of British commerce, the employment of which few of our neighbours understand and fewer still consider. The Reason is that Brussels in this matter was the willing mouthpiece of Paris itself. The second ultimatum was worse than this. His Majesty would not meet Lloyd George and the other signatories to the Treaty of Versailles to discuss before May 31 what will happen thereafter in the expected case of a German default. Never in the record of modern Ententes or Alliances has the Premier of one country been treated with more peremptorydisregard by the Premier of another. “Lloyd George, to secure the attendance of the French delegation at Genoa, and to keep it there, made concession after concession. He consented to the exclusion of forbidden subjects from the formal proceedings, though reparations and disarmament revision were bound to be vital matters for debate at all private meetings. “By this cumulative persistence in a course of dictation, Poincare of his own initiative has killed the Entente. Lloyd George has told Barthou and the other French representatives that it is an egregious and futile falsehood to say that he threatened that Britain would not only dissolve the Entente but seek an anti-French connexion with other Powers. What Lloyd George said was that Poincare showed not the remotest knowledge of the British nation, and acted regardless of the honour and strength of Britain or of those interests of her commerce, the existence of which concerns her masses and classes alike. Lloyd George said: ‘Henceforth Britain will be with any Power for Peace; with no Power against it.’ ”

KING AND PRESIDENT. PARIS, May 14. King George declined on constitutional grounds M. Millerand’s proposal to meet during the tour of the battlefields. The King explained that a meeting between two heads of States during the Genoa differences would assume a political aspect it was desirable to avoid. The “Sunday Times” Paris correspondent expresses the hope that the King’s refusal will terminate the persistent efforts made by the French Press to present the King as opposed i to the policy of his Ministers