GENOA CONFERENCE.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIII, 17 May 1922, Page 5

GENOA CONFERENCE.

PROPOSED HAGUE CONFERENCE. Press Assn.—By Tel. —Copyright. WASHLNGTON, May 15. “Unless some phase of the situation, now not visible, changes the whole aspect of things, America will not accept the invitation to attend The Hague Conference,” says a Washington journal. One leading administration official says:—“Mr Lloyd George is in a hole and is trying to drag us with him. About all Europe wants is our money.” Apart from such motives the view is emphasised that any such Conference must be a failure unless Russia shows a disposition to change the attitude of the recent Soviet notes to Genoa, and other Moscow pronouncements, which are not regarded as affording sufficient basis for dealing with the Soviets.

Generally speaking the cables inviting America to participate were received with no enthusiasm.

Officials believe that France played the shrewdest game at Genoa.

Mr Lloyd George, addressing AngloAmerican journalists, said that Allied and Russian Commissions would sit at the same table and discuss the 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 probably be confined to experts only. He handed the proposals to the American Ambassador, with an invitation to participate in the Hague Conference. Then he would decide the line of action without laying down principles for the panel, who would explore the whole question. Current negotiations between European States and Russia would not be interrupted, but new agreements would be barred, although there was no power to prevent individuals making agreements. If the Russians refuse to present a proposal, matters will be at an end.

AMERICAN VIEWS. DISCUSSION IN SENATE. WASHINGTON, May 15. Senator Borah introduced a resolution into the Senate suggesting the recognition of the Soviet of Russia. Senators Borah and Hitchcock, during a long debate, discussed the failure of the Genoa Conference for which the former blamed France entirely. Senatoi- Hitchcock said that the United States should go to the Hague. Senator Borah agreed, adding, if German reparations and Russian recognition are to be there discussed. It is understood that Senator Borah’s resolution will command strong support in the House and Senate. GERMANY’S SAY. BACK TO EBERT’S IDEAL. BERLIN, May 15. The German public is asking where lies the guarantee that the Hague Conference will be more successful than the Genoa, which has taken five weeks of confabulation and intrigue to produce a Russo-German Treaty. The “Boersen Courier” says that the most important result of the Genoa Conference is the fact that the second Conference suggests as a logical result, a permanent Conference which will eventually be converted into a World Parliament. This idea was first expressed by Herr Ebert at Leipzig Fair in March, and is becoming the new- ideal of modern German politician. RUSSIA WANTS CHANGED VENUE GENOA, May 15. Rakowski, interviewed, said that the Russians would protest against a separate commission. Au embargo on separate agreements was equivalent to a new blockade, but it would be accepted with the other proposals.

The Russians would endeavour to change the revenue from the Hague to Riga or Stockholm.

AMERICA'S REPLY. GENOA BY ANOTHER NAME. WASHINGTON, May 15. The State Department published a reply to the Allied Invitation to attend the Hague Conference. The reply declares that the United States has carefully considered the invitation and is desirous to aid in every practical way the considerations of the economic exigencies of Russia, but is unable to conclude that she can fully participate in the Hague meeting, as this would appear a continuance, under a different nomenclature, of the Genoa Conference and is destined to encounter the same difficulties, if the attitude disclosed in the Russian memorandum of May 11 remains unchanged.

The reply pointe out that the ulti-

mate, inescapable question is the restoration of the productivity of Russia which must be provided for from within Russia herself, but the United States has always been ready to join the Allies for inquiry by experts into the economic situation of Russia, and the necessary remedies. The United States is most willing to give serious attention to any proposals issuing from the Genoa Conference or any later conference but the present suggestions in the apparent response to the Russian memorandum of May 11 as lacking in definitions, which make impossible the concurrence of the United States in the proposed plan. MEETINC AT HAGUE. COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATION GENOA, May 15. The Sub-Commission adopted the reply to the Russian Note, based on the recommendations that the convening Powers represented at Genoa, excepting Russia and Germany, should meet at The Hague on June 15, for the preliminary exchange of views and to consider the lines of action which the Commission of Experts should adopt towards the Russians. It proposes June 26, when the Allied Commission will meet the Russian experts. If no joint recommendations are submitted within three months, or if such recommendations are not accepted by the Governments within a month after the date of the recommendations, each of the Powers to make a separate agreement with the Soviet.

FRENCH PROTEST. LONDON, May 15. At a Sub-Commission M. Barthou protested against two Commissions, instead of a mixed one, first submitting a protest to the sub-Commission. TCHITCHERIN’S MISCONCEPTION. M. Tchitcherm’s statement was based on an entire misconception. There was no idea of excluding Russians. They were invited to the Hague on the footing of equality. The object of tue Allies meeting was at first 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-mor-row’s meeting. M. Barthou intimated that the French would not attend, as they had not approved of the original memorandum.

M. Jasper intimated a similar Belgian attitude.

SIR F. BELL TO ATTEND. N.Z. REPRESENTATIVE, ■ «JB AUCKLAND, May 16. Mr Massey 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 be recollected that it had been arranged that in the event of Snr Francis Bell arriving in England in time for the Genoa Conference, he would represent New Zealand, but if not, representation of the Dominion would be trusted to the British delegates.

CONFERENCE MAY DISMISS. Other Genoa reports state that Mr Lloyd George declared that if the Russians agreed to the Hague Conference, it would be a prolongation of Genoa. If it did not the Conference would be finished. Mr Lloyd George and Signor Schanzer clearly pointed out that the Russians are free to continue negotiations already commenced for agreements with Sweden, Japan, and Czecho-Slo-vakia, but the Allies will not sign or make further agreements. Although M. Barthou will not attend to-morrow he has undertaken if Russia accepts the Hague scheme, to recommend Paris to adopt the proposals.