GENOA CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1922, Page 3

GENOA CONFERENCE

Australian and n.k. cable association. GENOA, April 12. j After a strenuous fight by Cook and Walton over the status of the dominions, the right to vote as independent entities was conceded. Campion also secured a similar recognition on the Finance Commission. Russia’s Delegate.

GENOA, April 11. The Genoa Conference sat in sectional commissions. Some angry scenes marked the Russian Commission. M Tehitcherin (Soviet delegate) objected to the allotment of .only one seat to Russia. He protested against the attendance of Rumania and Japan. The latter, he said, was disqualified owing to her occupation of Siberia: M. Tehitcherin had to withdraw some angry expressions. The friction on Monday and Tuesday has created a most unfavourable im-

pression. Consequent upon the concession of independent representation to the British Dominions, a new vote for the selection of four representatives of the smaller nations, resulted in the deposition of Spain in favour of Sweden. The following is an outline of the proposals for reconstruction which the Russians will submit to the conference :

(1) It is agreed that the Soviets will fully recognise the public debts of the old Russian regime, but it is pointed out that it is utterly impossible to pay them. Russia’s indebtedness to France alone totals 14,000,000 of gold roubles; hence it is necessary to grant a moratorium.

(2) If the Allies demand a war indemnity from Russia, then Russia must demand an indemnity for the damages done by the Koltchak, Deniken and Wrangel offensives. (3) Russia recognises that, to secure the return of foreign capital to Russia, the latter must, insure adequate returns and ample guarantees. The Russian delegation will, therefore, present to the conference a new judicial code, which hits been prepared, coverihg foreign capital, property, and individual rights in Russia.

Russia does not intend to grant tinlimited concessions of the soil or irt the great elementary industries belonging to the State; but will widen the field of State rights therein.

Irt granting concessions in mines, factories, forest, cultivable lands, ami other natural resources, these will be given by Russia under full legal guarantees, which are new being prepared, including special tribunals for the settlement of disputes arising between Russians and foreigners. The Russian plan provides similar concessions and guarantees tor the resumption of commerce. The State, however, is retaining control over its monopoly, in combustibles, and ran materials, but Abe entire State control, jjven in this, is reducible, as normal relations are increased. The plan further provides for disarmament, provided it is met by reciprocal efforts on the part of the other States.