CANNES CONCLAVE.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 January 1922, Page 3

CANNES CONCLAVE.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

FRENCH PROTEST.

BRITAIN AND FRANCE

FEELING AT CANNES. LONDON, Jan. 8. The Cannes correspondent of the

Paris “Journal” is pessimistic. He says profound despondency in the -rf- French camp is felt at the calling in of the Germans, who will do / little to ameliorate the French difficulties. The-“ Daily Telegraph” says though M. Briand is sending the Supreme Council’s proposal to Moscow, Hon Lloyd George and Bonome are sending personal messages to Lenin, urging him to extend the Genoa conference. French opinion, however, is aghast at the» ease with which M. Briand Acquiesced to a conference with Russia. The “Telegraph” adds—l believe the acquiescence is due to the cynical belief that nothing will come of the Genoa conference, which the French regard as a British fantasy but thought it impolitic to say so openly.

PARIS, Jan. 9

M. Briand’s acquiescence in the European Economic Conference has raised a violent storm in the French Press, where criticisms are general. Some of the writers disclose that this discussion renders the Allies victory useless, because the Allies cannot control the German finances in the interests of the reparations if Germany is allowed to confer with them as equals. The general French view is that Germany ought to be made to pay first and the organisation of German prosperity discussed later. The Allies capitulation to the Russians is regarded as fiving a new life to the Soviet.

GUARANTEES FOR FRANCE

PARIS, Jan. 9

It is understood that M. Briand and Mr Lloyd-George to-day agreed on a basis for a closer Entente, whereundcr Britain undertakes to guarantee, with all her strength, Clauses 42,43 and 44 of the Versailles Treaty, conditional upon the liquidation of all the existing contentions between Britain and

France. . i . Enquiries from Cannes show { ■ Italy is willing to join in guaranteeing Franec. . It is reliably reported that it is intended to build on this foundation a comprehensive European Treaty of mutual guarantees, similar to the Pacific Convention, implying disarmament.

FRENCH CONCESSIONS TO BRITAIN. LONDON, Jan. 8. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Cannes correspondent states: “To-night it became generally known that the Bntish and Frenoli Governments have been discussing for some time the possibility of a new pact, guaranteeing Britisii military support to France in the case of an unprovoked German attack. I can safely state that M. Briand’s concessions to Mr Lloyd George’s viewpoint during the last few days have been made with a view of obtaining such guarantees. There is reason to believe Mr Lloyd George is willing to give a guarantee provided that Britain is not entangled in the French policy in the Near East, and that Germany is indirectly associate! with the new pact. France probably will be willing, in order to achieve military guarantees, even to make Britain some concessions over the submarines and as to eastern policy, as part of such a bargain. Mr Lloyd George and M. Briand are conferring privately to-night. AMBASSADOR INJURED. CANNES, Jan 9. Mr Harvey (American Ambassador to England) was severely injured in a motor collision and was unconscious for an hour. He is unlikely to attend the Conference for some days.