GENOA CONFERENCE.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIII, 16 May 1922, Page 5

GENOA CONFERENCE.

THE HAGUE CONFERENCE. LLOYD GEORGE’S STATEMENT. Per Press Association —Copyright. Genoa, May 15. Mr Lloyd George, interviewed, said he agreed that the Hague meeting would be the prolongation of the Genoa Conference, but would only deal with Russia. Its work would be merely preliminary exploration of the possibility of an agreement.

The Russians would meet the other powers after June 26th on a footing of absolute equality, but if the Russians refused to participate we would have nothing more to say.

“If the agreement with Russia was concluded he hoped to convert the truce into a permanent pact.

NOTE TO UNITED STATES

LONDON, May 15. The “Daily Express” Genoa correspondent states that Air Lloyd George secured the despatch of an official Note to Washington pleading for active cooperation of America in the reconciliation, beginning at the Hague. The Note says:— ‘The world cannot be saved in the East or West without America’s aid.”

I learn reliably from the Americans’ attitude with Washington circles, that there have been submitted to the Conference proposals abrogating the German-Russian Treaty, also the proposed scrapping of all other treaties and the start of fresh negotiations with Russia with a clean slate on the basis of including the Riga Treaty between Russia, Lithuania and Poland and ar.y Shell Oil agreements. I understand that Al. Tchitcherin opposes the American suggestions. STATES RELUCTANT. TV ASHINGTON, May 15. The Administration will give close consideration to the appeal by France that the United States should participate in the proposed interiiational o remission to investigate the Russian situation, but it is understood that the United States will be as reluctant to accede to the appeal as to accept the invitation to Genoa.

FRENCH HOLD ALOOF. GENOA, May 15. The convening Powers have prepared a reply which was sent to the Rues.ans +r day.

Their Note is referred to as “stupid reply and they will protest strongly against the tone of the Russian Acte, pointing ont that the Russ'or.s, haling ruined their own country, are little qualified to berate the so-called capitalist Powers, especially when asking for money. lb- Frenca again • ’.i not sign the and clumsy.”

ANOTHER SENSATION. GENOA, May 15. M. Tchitcherin sent a Note to Signor Schanzer, declaring that the proposals made by the Powers are absolutely unacceptable and asking for an immediate summoning of the Political Sub-Com-mission at which the Russians will enlarge their proposals for mixed Commissions.

M. Tchitcherin’s letter is strongly worded and caused a sensation in view of the unusual course of refusing point blank before the Powers’ Note was even presented. The Anglo-French view is that it is impossible to negotiate with the Russians, who are obviously seeking to break with the Conference. NOT LIKELY TO SUBMIT. LONDON, May 14. It is clear that Russia will be asked to appoint representatives to meet the panel not as a constituent- thereof. This is undoubtedly a compromise to meet the French attitude. Determination to keep Russia on the door mat is regarded as not likely to be accepted by Russia.