MORE OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1922, Page 3

MORE OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK

GENOA, April 11

The Genoa Conference, at the outset, had four serious bunkers to face, firstly in the alignment of Powers, these were the victorious Allies to face the vanquished enemies. Secondly, Britain felt that if the Cannes resolutions were not acceptable it would be useless to go on. Thirdly, was a difficulty which could not have been foreseen. That was as M- Tchitcherin (Russia) persisted in qustioning the Genoa Confeience agenda, serous results might be apprehended; but so far he has proved amenable to arguments. The fourth wa ß also a seiious question. Would the small powers efface themselves in order to make workable small sub-comm:t-tees possible? They played the game. The removal of these dangers resulted in a more optimistic outlook. o»ce again France committed a faux pas, when M. Tchitcherin raised the quest on of disarmament. M. Barthou heatedly declined to agree to discuss it, thereby, it is stated, playing into Mr Lloyd George’s hands.. The latter quickly seized the situation, and poured oil on the troubled waters, and established himself in the eyes of the conference as a peacemaker. After an exchange of politenesses on Monday the First Commission promptly got to work on Ti esday. It confined its opening deliberations to the first three clauses of the Cannes Resolutions. The foremost effort of this commission is to secure peace for 10 or 15 years. This would answer M. Tchitcherin’s demand for disarmament. The Russian and British view is that, if a pact is made, disarmament will he a necessary corollary. Any sanctions would be considered by them to be moral, rather than legal, the assumption being that if any country broke the pact, it would be treated as a pariah." There would also he the economic weapon which, with the co-operation of the League of Nations, could be imposed. The British representatives on the First Commission are Mr Lloyd George and Lord Curzon The Japanese do not occupy any of the chairmanships, as they regard the work of the conference as relating more particularly to Europe

Seven nations, including Germany Wve two representatives on each com--SSsKion. The smaller nations have one each As the main commissions will naturally he large, they will be again split up into sub-committees, on which these seven Powers have one representative each, while the smaller nations elect four nations, with one representative each. The latter therefore, have elected Poland, Roumania, Sweden and Switzerland to represent them. M. T chi teller in’s protest regarding Roumania and Japan followed this selection as above cahled. The members of the British delegation, interviewed expressed themselves satisfied with the. progress made and .the amicable relations that existed. Despite M. Tchitcherin’s protest, all was done in the best of good humour, and Tio irascibility was shown. As the work of the various commissions is of tjonsiderahle magnitude, it is unlikely

there will be aaiy plenary sessions until well after Easter. The display of military forces is still maintained, the Plazzo Reale, where the commissions sit, being strongly guarded. Mr Lloyd George moved a. motion to circulate the report of the Allied experts, prepared at the London Conference. In view of its intricate character and length, M. Tehitcherin asked the sub-committee to adjourn until Thursday to enable the Russians to study the document. This was iigreed to.

FINANCIAL . RECONSTR V (TIT ON. Received This Day at 11.30 a.in.) GENOA, April 12. Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Spain and Switzerland, whose currencies are not depreciated, are planning to play an important part in tine financial reconstruction of Europe. They have formulated a combined scheme of international credits which while helping belligerents, whose currencies arc depressed, will not. affect neutrals privileged position.