GENOA CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 20 April 1922, Page 1

GENOA CONFERENCE

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. THE ALLIES ATTITUDE. GENOA, April 18. Ilte Allies inlorme.il the Germans that, “having concluded a secret treaty, we presume you have renounced participation in the discussion of the Cannes resolution.”

LONDON. April 18. Air Wickham Steed, the 1 •Times’s” special representative at Genoa, telegtaplts that the Germans and Bolsheviks conjointly issued a formidable kick at the conference. The .significance of their treaty is self-evident. The Germans, who accepted the ('atines resolutions, have now violated them and stabbed the conference in the hack. They plead as justification that they have not been granted equality, but "ere thrust tit while the Powers negotiated privately with Bolsheviki. The motive of Bolsheviki shows clearly that they wish to smack the Allies in the face and force their hands regarding recognition of the cancellation of debts. PARIS, April 18 Ihe newspapers indignantly comment on the Russo-German Treaty. They unanimously declare it is tin act "A disloyalty and a veritable thunderbolt which may end Liu l Conference. Some papers declare that M. Tchitcherin gave fair warning, having said, Lent with us, or do not he surprised if we turn to the other side.”

Mltile .11. Poincuirc was making jokes about veiled women, the Germans got busy on their own behalf. I'ranee was clearly given to understand that a rupture might occur on given lines.

"f.’Oouve” states that M. Bartliou demands from .11. I’oineaire new powrs, declaring that France, owing to icr quasi-isolation has lost prestige, and takes second rank at Genoa. Mr 1 loyil George controls tlie discussions while the French delegation is for cd to communicate with Paris by wire.

“Lo Petit Pnrisien” says: A , ,p----ure at the conference is probable mil there is reason to believe tl at Lloyd George may think it necessary > effect such a rupture. ' 'll until n ito” declines that the treaty • a Gcrniiiii victory over England. 11. Poiiicaite assembled the Cabinet his morning to examine the situation ■rented.

ROME, April 18

Newspapers of Italy in special editions state that the treaty is causing intense excitement and arousing hostility against the Germans who are accused of abusing Italian hospitality. Aerliit regards the Treaty as a final settlement of the Russo-German war treaty discussed some months ago, nil the possibility of treating with M. Teliitelierin in person at Genoa, faeilintod the result.

A PERTURBED POSITION. LONDON, April 18. ’Phe Australian Press Genoa correspondent states the Little Entente Powers are perturbed over the situation. At M. Barthou’s instance they and Poland joined the confidence with the Five Powers and discussed | Russo-German Treaty. The meeting lasted all day. Several sub-coni mil tee meetings today lapsed, liecau.se the French delegates declined to sit with the Germans .and also would not attend the hanquet J to-night. The Germans declare they * signed because Russia held a pistol to | their heads, declaring they would come ;to an agreement with the Entente if ] the Treaty were not signed. Ii The French state the Treaty was prepared at Berlin and the text supplied them by a French agent at Berlin a month ago. ( 'flic Germans claim the Treaty advances the objects of the Conference in the reconstruction of Europe. M. Barthou declares this is purely hypocritical. Jt rather strengthens Russia in opposing the other Powers. Russia by agreeing to the Allies proposals would secure all the advantages of the present Treaty without the disadvantages. He regarded the arrangement as a political manoeuvre dictated by hostile intentions. In any ease France insists on Russia fulfilling her obligations.

A GERMAN REPORT

LONDON, April 18

Advices from Genoa state a German communique announcing the Russian Treaty, emphasises it in nowise affects relations with other countries, and in nowise detracts from the signatories interest in the general aims of Genoa Conference.

A French semi-official telegram states that as a condition of her remaining at the Conference, France will ask tin l Allies to insist upon the annulment of the Russo-German agreement, on the ground it violates the Treaty of Versailles.

PRESS OPINION

LONDON, April 18

The “Daily Mail” points out editorially, that the Treaty in effect makes Russia a German colony and completes the work the Bolsheviks began in 1917. If the reports are correct that Japan is seeking a renpproachmcnt with Bolsheviks the Allies will he face to face with something like an alliance of Germany, Russia and Japan, in which German militarists will pull the wires.

FRENCH ATTITUDE. GENOA, April 18

Allied delegations including the Little Entente assembled in the Factas House to discuss the situation created by the Russo-German Treaty. Early reports credited the French with the intention of leaving the Conference. Later Paris reports state after full deliberation Cabinet decided that Franco would only withdraw if the other Allies do the same.

THE ALLIED REPLY. GENOA, April 18. Hon Lloyd George has drafted a reply which the Powers accepted, and sent to the Germans. It reads—The undersigned iPowers learned with astonishment that in the first stage of the Genoa Conference, Germany without reference to the other Bowers assembled, Jias secretly concluded a Treaty with the Soviet Government. The questions covered by this Treaty are tit present subject of negotiations between the representatives of Russia and those of all other Powers invited to the Conferences, including Germany. The German Chancellor himself declared at the opening session only a week ago that the German delegation would operate with the other Powers for (.he solution of these questions in a spirit of genuine loyalty and fellowship. Tho undersigned Powers therefore express to the German delegation in the frankest terms the opinion that the conclusion >of such an agreement, while the Conference was in session is a violation of the conditions to which Germany pledged herself in entering the Conference. By inviting Germany to Genoa and offering her representation on every commission on equal terms with themselves, inviting the Powers to prove their readiness to waive the memories of the war and to grant Germany an opportunity for honest cooperation with her former enemies in the European tasks of the Conference. To that offer of goodwill and fellowship Germany replies with an act which destroys the spirit of mutual confidence, which is indispensable to international co-operation which it is the chief aim of the Conference to establish.

LONDON, April 18

The Australian press Genoa correspondent states tho Big Live, also Poland Czecho Slovakia, Roumania, and Jugoslavia signed the protest. The Dominion representatives participated with the British in drafting the letter to Germany.

Hon Lloyd George said the grievance all felt was against Germany not Russia. Their view was that a strong protest was necessary. The Erennh accepted the letter with enthusiasm. All commissions will resume work to-mor-row. The decision of the Powers does not preclude Germans from silting on the second, third and fourth commissions.

CONFERENCE FEELINGS

LONDON, April 18

A special representative at Genoa sables that the Treaty fell like a bombshell upon the session of five convening Powers, who eagerly discussed it. Hon Lloyd George urged securing an immediate decision on the matter, but M. Bartliou wished for an adjournment to enable the Little Entente and Poland to he present, and prevailed. Bolsheviks openly exult. Radowsky declared it was the present accident that the Treaty was signed during the Conference, negotiations having been in progress since January. British and French are astounded at the development while the minor delegations fear the Conference has received its death blow. Though the German and Bolshevik plans were submitted to the Conference, Lloyd George’s attempts to sidetrack and arrange a private settlement with the Bolsheviks gives the Bolsheviks and Germans a knife to handle. They used it to inflict what may prove a deadly wound in the British plans for reconstruction, for which the Conference was convened to sanction.

SPLIT AT GENOA. LONDON. April 18.

The “Daily News” correspondent interviewed Dr Rathenau, the German delegate, who stated: —“The use of the word ‘secret’ in connection with the new treaty between Russia and Germany is most unfair. Four times lust week the Germans discussed this treaty with the officials of the British delegation.” Dr Rathenau said that he personally has tried repeatedly, hut un_ successfully, to see Mr TJovd George. The “Daily News” itself expresses the opinion that there is a possibility that the Germans will withdraw from Genoa on the French demanding an annulment of tlie Russo-German Treaty. The “Daily News” correspondent suggests that an unhappy method of procedure has partly been responsible for the crisis at the opening session. He says the Allied delegates allotted to themselves special seats, and the first moment that an issue of any real importance arose, they withdrew into private. conclave. The Germans were not the first to resent this. The neutrals were bitterly and vocally indignant. Even now, the Political Sub-Commis-sion has not been convoked, and the neutrals- bare unanimously requested its immediate convocation.

RUSSIA’S INITIATIVE AGAIN. LONDON. April 18. The “Daily Express’s” Genoa correspondent states: It is reported M. Tohitcherin (Russian delegate) is negotiating with Turkey for a similar economic treaty to that just concluded by Russia with Germany. This will have the effect of re-estab-lishing the corridor from Berlin to India and to the Near Eastern border. The “Daily Express” also declares it possesses a proof that the Russo-Ger-man Treaty includes a secret clause, un der which Russia is to supply men for nil army for which Germany is to provide the officers.