GENOA CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1922, Page 3

GENOA CONFERENCE

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.

HON LLOYD GEORGE SPEAKS GENOA, April TO.

, Hori LlOyd George in his address to iite GoKfeteticfe s.Hid this is the grefitest gathering of European nations which has ever assembled. The results will be far-reaching upon the destiny of the world. We meet on equal terms provided we accept equal conditions. Those laid down n.t Cannes are honourable in themselves and essential to any intercourse between nations. We fully accept them ourselves. They are only the. conditions upon which we can consent to deal with others. After detailing the conditions Hon Lloyd George went on to sav that Europe was exhausted with its fury, with its loss of blood and treasure and is staggering under its tolossßl burdens of debt riity reparation which the war has entailed. Legitimate trade and industry are everywhere disorganised and depressed.

AT GENOA

GENOA, March 10

Fastie in opening the Conference said the world wars psychological, poli tocal, social and economic effects had completely destroyed all financial and economic conditions. The fundamental reason for this economic chaos was the lack of confidence which must be restored before normality was attainable. They had not assembled as friends or enemies, or victors or vanquished, but as men of all nations striving for the attainment of- lofty ideals. The Pacific cloud had already disappeared as a result of the Washington Conference. They must work for the peace of Europe in the same sincere spirit as inspiring the Washington deliberations. He concluded with an appeal for equty, justice and solidarity between nations.

SCENES AT OPENING SESSION. GENOA, April 11 Though Mr Lloyd George occasionally seemed a tired man, his speech to Hie conference was a great effort, recalling that which he made at Paris after his return from Rapallo, in 1917. Mr Lloyd George, fighting with the zeal of a crusader, electrified the conference. The conference was opened in a room in the Palace of St George. It is a square hall, about the size of the House of Commons’ Chamber. It has liinewashed walls, and possesses lifesized statues In the -niches. The newspaper men crowded into the gallery at the back. The delegates were sitting in a double horse-shoe form.

31 r Lloyd George’s best point was a reference which lie made a gains* “snarling,” which was delivered with much forcefuiness. The sensation of the session, however, was an encounter between M. Tchitelierin (Russia’s chief delegate) and M. Bartliou (the French delegate). Directly that the Russian suggested disarmament, M. Bhrthou jumped up, and declared that France absolutely and categorically refused to discuss disarmament. Mr Lloyd George then intervened, but M. Bartliou again became angry when Mr Lloyd George said disarmament, must ultimately be discussed. M. Tchitelierin reminded M. Bartliou that M. Briand (l(ate French Premier) had discussed disarmament at Washington. M. Bartliou retorted: Tie Cannes. Agreement is that disarmament should not be discussed here!

The British Prime Minister, Mr Lloyd George, in his address to the conference said: —“This is the greatest gathering of European nations which lias ever assembled. Its results will be farreaching upon the destiny of the world. 3Ve meet on equal terms, provided that we accept equal conditions. Those conditions that were laid down at Cannes are honourable in themselves, and are essential to any intercourse between the nations. We fully accept them ourselves. They are the only conditions upon which we can consent to deal with others.

After detailing the conditions, Mr Lloyd George went on :— “Europe is exhausted with its fury, with its loss of blood and treasure. It- is staggering under the colossal burdens of debt and of reparation which the war has entailed. Legitimate trade and indus trv are everywhere disorganised and depressed.’ i Continuing,- Mr Lloyd George said that there was unemployment in the < West, and there was famine and pestil- 1 enee in the East. “The first need of , Europe is real peace,” he said. “Cm- i less peace is established and there is goodwill amongst the nations, all discussions will be of no avail. If we act together, in the same spirit, we shall succeed—not in the spirit of a greedy vigilance but with a common desire to restore the world to its normal condition of health and vigor. We must not roll boulders in front of the -plough. Let us think more of what we can accomplish, than of what we can restrict. Public opinion is amenable to guidance.” , Mr Lloyd George concluded: —“It is good to study the questions of currency, exchange, transport, and credit, but if : real peace becomes the issue of this conference, all those will be added unto you. It is true that actual fighting has ceased, but snarling goes on. Europe is being deafened by a canine clamour. It is not dignified. It rattles the nerves of a nerve-ruined continent. We can only make a real contribution towards the restoration of Europe if this conference can stop this snarling. I regret that America is not represented; hut, if we can set things right, America will come in gladly. If we fail, a sense of despair will sweep over the world. If we succeed, a ray of confidence will illuminate the gloom, bringing life to the spirit of mankind. FRENCH MINISTER’S SPEECH. Following Mr Lloyd George, the next speaker was the French delegate, M. Barthou. M. Barthou said: “I bring to this conference the loyal co-operation of France. We are here for action. \'c do not disguise the difficulties of our task but faith .nlone will save the world, France claims no hegemony. The war has cost her too much. „ She if wholly and resolutely for pence.” M Barthou concluded: “Genoa wil net be ft Court of Appeal where exist tNfttiw «« jwfced md revised.

RUSSIA’S WISHES. GENOA, April 11. M. Tchiteherin, the Russian delegate, following M. Bartliou, said that the Russians did not desire to mak 0 any propaganda, but to collaborate. They accepted, he said, the principles of the Cannes resolutions, noting their reciprocity,. Russia’s eeonofnic proposals, he said, might even exceed those of Cannes. Russia was ready to disarm, if she were assured against attack. jVf. Bartliou spoke a second time, in reply to 31. Tchiteherin, repeating that France would not permit the raising of the disarmament question. ! 31. Tchiteherin then attempted to . discuss the Ukraine. , Signor Facta, however, declared the Ukraine incident closed. , 31. Bartliou, speaking with lad at, said: “The incident cannot close in ambiguity!” Signor Facta replied: “There is no ambiguity. All present accept the Cannes resolutions as the basis of the conference;” M. Bnrthou insisted on having the last word. He dramatically protestj ed that ’the Russians had all ready l abandoned the Cannes resolutions, j M. Tchiteherin continued: ‘‘We have not come here seeking Bolshevik ends, but loyal participation on a basis of reciprocity. 3Vc will introduce our own special plan for the reconstruction of Russia. Finally we will propose calling a. universal conference, which would offer even a larger -basis than, the League of Nations.”

PRECAUTIONS AT GENOA, ißeceived This Day at 8 n.m.) GENOA, April 11

The city is a armed camp. These .surroundings to the Conference, with a peaceful intent, are mainly due to the presence of the Russians, and the fear that turbulent elements might demonstrate against the Bolshevist delegation. A large force of military was imported into the city, together with a strong contingent of Carabinieri, An especially wide cordon is drawn round Palazzo Sangiorgio, where the Conference met. Small units of infantrymen were stationed every twenty yards, in all the streets converging thereon, while cavalry patrols traversed U lc streets which were decorated with Italian colours. Crowds thronged the streets, but there was little in the ceremony for spectators owing to the police precautions. Thirty countries are represented, and there arc five hundred journalists, of all nationalities.

SCENE AT CONFERENCE. Received This Day at 11.30 n.m ) GENOA. April 11. Further lively exchanges occurred between Tchiteherin and Bartliou. Tchiteherin objected to the presence of R-oumnnia and Japan, the former owing to her occupation of Bessarabia. Isheii replied that Japan stays whatever Tchiteherin likes or dislikes.