WORLD POWERS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 6 December 1927, Page 5

WORLD POWERS

CONVERSATIONS AT GENEVA FRANCO-RUSSIAN UNDERSTANDING. REPORTED BY LITVINOFF. [By Cable — Press Assn. — Copyright.) (Received 6, 10.5 a.m.) Geneva, December 5. Litvinoff sent a message to Moscow stating that as a result of conversations with M. Briand, the misunderstanding arising from the Rakovsky incident is closed and there is no question of a Franco-Russian rupture. When the new Ambassador arrives at Paris he will open pourparlers regarding debts and credits, also a non-aggression pact Both statesmen regarded the immeuiate cessation of the State war between Poland and Lithuania as indispensable.—(A. and N.Z.) RUSSIA’S DISARMAMENT PROCLAMATION. (Received 0, 9.5 a.m.) London, December 5. The “Observer’s” Geneva correspondent states that Litvinoff, in an interview, said : “Surely there is nothing extraordinary in our proclamation that absolute disarmament alone will end wars. Disarmament will never begin seriously unless the world grasps the necessity for ‘going the whole hog.’” He categorically denied that he came to Geneva for any purpose save disarmament. Litvinoff emphasised that the Soviet was ready for resumption of relations with Britain, but could not initiate negotiations, not because of exaggerated considerations of prestige or etiquette, but for the simple reason that such meetings were valueless unless they were mutually arranged.—(A and N.Z.) STATESMEN EXCHANGE JTTS. Geneva, December 4. At least 20 visits wore exchanged between various European statesmen at a preliminary meeting of the Council. Lord Oushendun left for London after S''r Austen Chamberlain arrived. The latter lunched with M. Briand. It is understood they discussed the possibility of a rapprochement between France and Italy, which has been exercising delegates in Geneva, though happier relations were foreshadowed in Signor Mussolini’s statement cabled yesterday. It is stated that M, Briand intimated to-day that he was willing to meet Signor Mussolini on the frontier if the Duce was unable to come to Geneva. After lunch M. Briand met Litvinoff at the latter’s request and uad an hour’s personal talk. It is reported that Litvinoff brought up the question of Russian debts to France and French industrial credits to Russia. He also urged M. Briand to prevent M. Pilsudski from pursuing an aggressive policy towards Lithuania. it is reported that Litvinoff also revived the proposal for a non-aggression pact between Russia and France, which M. Briand intimated the French Government would consider. He further asked M. Briand to use his influuence to restore relations between Russia and Britain. ( Thus far Litvinoff has failed to manoeuvre a meeting wilth Sir Austen Chamberlain, which is now regarded as most unlikely, as Litvinoff leaves for Moscow to-morrow, when the Swiss Government’s offer of police protection expires.—(A. and N.