GENOA CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 21 April 1922, Page 2

GENOA CONFERENCE

4UBTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. LLOYD GEORGE’S ULTIMATUM.. GENOA, April 19. Dr Wirth (German Chancellor) and Dr Rathcnau obtained an interview with Mr Lloyd George to-day. The British Premier pointed out that two courses only were new open to the Germans. Either they mus,t withdraw from the Russian Treaty, or must withdraw from the Genoa First Commission. He had no desire to humiliate the Germans, he said, but if they insisted on the Russian Treaty, they could not take pari in the First Commission on Russian affairs.

It transpires that Dr Rathenau sought to .‘■ee Mr Lloyd George on three occasions last week. The latter replied, however, he was not quite ready to see him.

The Germans assert that tliey were terribly anxious about what was going on at Mr Lloyd George’s residence at Genoa, it being reported that the Allies were about to come to a decision.

It is pointed out that the Germans could, easily have sent a formal protest against Germany’s exclusion from the secret conference of the Allies.

MR LLOYD GEORGE’S VERSION

GENOA, April 20

During a conversation with Dr Wirth end Dr Rathenau, Mr Lloyd George .'•aid he could not allow Dr Rathenau to make an imputation against the British delegation by saying they knew of the Preparation of the treaty. An argument ensued, but Mr Lloyd George was firm. The Germans, when they left,. Acre very depressed. They meet to* draft a reply at 10 o’clock on Wednesday night.

•Le Petit Parisian’s” Genoa corres;>oi dent lias interviewed Mr Lloyd Jeurge regarding his statement that Ije kn w about the Russian agreement bef jie it was signed. Mr Lloyd George replied to the correspondent with the remark: “It is a , d lie!”

WHERE GERMANY MAY GAIN. LONDON, April 19. “The Times’s” special representative :t Genoa says: “In view of the attitude of neutrals, it i* uncertain how l,i voting at the plenary session will go. T! e Russio-German Treaty is full of delectable possibilities, but the Germans are anxiously ruffled. They in- —y sist that the only surprise sprung on dpi cl e British delegation was the actual signing of the treaty. The correspondent adds: The Russo;erman Treaty is likely to be a serious ■Jumbling block in the further proceed- M ngs of the conference. A portion of u c Italian Press is urging the Italian Government to circumvent the obstacle by a similar separate treaty with the Bolsheviks. Otherwise, they sav Ger■lany will monopolise the reconstructnon of Russia.

The papers of Italy point out that the .revious Russo-German agreements i,:>ve already placed Germany in an esp'-’cially favourable position.

NEUTRAL DELEGATES MEET. PARIS, April 19

The neutral delegates at the Genoa Conference hurried to the meeting on Tuesday night, and decided on a united stand regarding Germany’s expulsion from the Russian Committee, which they resent The views of the neutrals is that the Allied Powers have no right co punish Germany. The Danish delegates took the initiative.

Several Powers including Powers other than the neutrals, are now considering the making of a joint protest against the Powers decision to exclude Germany. Dr Wirtli (German Chancellor) and Dr Rathenau wish the matter to be put to a vote of the whole Genoa Conference. INTER NATIONAL FINANCE. LONDON. April 19. At the Genoa Conference the Exchange Sub-Committee recommends the maintenance of the gold standard, and also free exchange dealings.

France proposed, and Russia seconded, that the Bank of England shoitTd be the convener of a Central Banks Conference. It is likely that this will, he agreed to.

SECRET MILITARY CO-OPERATION LONDON, April Air Clement Edwards, a member or the British House of Commons whoJhas just returned from Germany, says that ho was informed in Prussia that Germany has made two compacts with Russia. The first is a commercial treaty. The second is one consisting of a secret military undertaking involving the mutual use of German and Russian troops