REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 166, 9 April 1921, Page 12

REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA

LOOKING TO EUROPE FOR AID. Mr. Gegetchkori, Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, who went to E urope to urge the recognition by the Powers of Georgian independence de jure, made the following statement just prior to his return home: —

“I am pleased to be returning to Georgia after her independence de jure has been recognised by Europe and the international situation of our Republic has thus received the definite sanction of the Allied Powers. The decision of the Allied Conference has been received with the utmost satisfaction by the Geoigian people and will constitute a pledge tor the further strengthening of the friendly relations between Georgia and the Great Powers of Western. Europe.

“The internal situation in Georgia is such as to enable us to face the future with every confidence. ■ Georgia offers no field for eowing discontent or Bolshevism. The agrarian question has been settled by handing over all land to thepeasants; workmen regard our Republic as of their own creation, -white the wealthy classes realise that the policy ot our Government saved the country. Therein lies the cause of the failure ot the repeated attempts on the part oi our adversaries to tear our Republic asunder from within. “As yet, however, the organisation of our finances is far from complete, and the (natural resources of to a large extent unexploited. It is our desire to improve our agriculture to <te veloj. our silk cultivation, to organise of our coal, copper and iron mines, as also our immense toiest lands; to utilise our immense stole of Georgia from Central Asia. “To solve these problems it is essenS render possible proper aation of bur foreign trade and finances. . “The external relations or Geor* , although serious should n°t ~ whole world. IJ™ un JUtanding of out that a coryec tate both to their interests ehotod ‘y 1 a the Russian and luikuli « ln policy of P^*%ea«*\ d ttb us will enthe case of Russia, IrwNays able her to avail herself of o o£ and agrcement with GeorSjssrn.si— " i,h that the decision of the Insaix o‘ — » particular are so wrea-t.