Genoa Conference.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 April 1922, Page 2

Genoa Conference.

ITTSTIULIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. RUSSIAN VIEWS. GENOA, April 25. Tchitcherin dealing with Russian fin. ancial claims, states it is impossible for Russia to yield on the question of private property, but the Soviet Government is prepared to grant ex-ow-ners long leases, or permit them to participate in mixed companies for the administration of their forme r properties.

THE POINCAIRE SENSATION. GENOA, April 25. M. Poineaire’s speech is regarded as a serious declaration, especially as it was made without consultation with the Aides. All M. Poincaire said about cooperation of the Allies is cordially endorsed by the British Government. . ,ie only comment of the moment is that the French declaration that they will take action in certain eventualities, whether the Allies act or not, is an odd way of showing co-operation. French opinion is anxious over the Russo-German agreement and that is reacting on the Genoa Conference. French opinion is apparently convinced that the agreement is the outcome of the Genoa Conference: That feeling is being fostered by mis-statements in French and English press. They indicate that Britain is negotiating with Russia without consulting France.

COMMENT ON CRISIS. LONDON, April 25. The “Times” special representative at Genoa conference says the present situation confirmed the axiom that the only basis of European solidarity is a firm reciprocal Anglo-French agreement, fl.mked by a similar anglo-Belgian agreement. The latter exists already, hut it is necessary for the maintenance of peace in South eastern 'Europe, that the Little Entente accept the responsibility therefore, with express AngloFrench sections. Military and naval sections are not contemplated, but politic- 1 and moral economic support. The 'correspondent adds that the policy of the Little Entente is non-aggressive and conservative,

RUSSIAN STATEMENT.

.Re'eived This Day at 8.-30 a.m.) PARTS, April 26. Tchitcherin interviewed, said the g n era 1 agreement as envisaged at the beginning of the Conference was no longer possible. The obstacle is Russia’s fundamental principles regarding Ho existence of private property. The chief object' of the Genoa Conference was no loiig'er possible. Tlie obstacle

was the establishment of an international regime permitting eo-operatioii of Russia and other countries. For th-.i object, reciprocal abstention from interference in internal affairs was indispensable. UnfoiD”'- " European States desired to impose measures which in Russia, would lie entirely contrary to their legislation.. Russia was not disposed to sign with each nation at Genoa, an agreement similiar to the Rnpnllo Treaty

THE PEACE PACT,

GENOA, April 26

Mr Lloyd George lias submitted the draft of his Peace Pact which is patented on the lines of the Washington Pacific Treaty. The preamble emphasises the necessity of maintaining European peace by general disarmament. Vi tide l pledges the Powers to abstain rom aggression towards each other; ■ml secondly, to consult each other if European peace is threatened.

The Czeeho-Slovak Premier has draft(l counter-proposals, including the foregoing, and providing in addition that the Powers shall associate locally, and arrange to enforce the maintenance if treaties. His proposals assert that European peace cannot be formally (included at Genoa Conference, which is only empowered to submit recommendations to the participating Governments. Secondly, lie points out that the signature to a general European Pact will not precede the conclusion of local pacts. Finally, the Little Entente declares that the conclusion of an agreement between them and France is conditional on the previous conclusion of the Franco-British convention previously discussed.

ANOTHER HITCH

GENOA April 25

The meeting of the experts lias*'produced another hitch over Russia. The Russians have presented seven points in answer to the London expert’s report. The meeting adjourned, as the Russian views expressed in elucidating their points were regarded as inadmissible.

The experts of the Allies are nowdrafting their views. The Sub-Committee on Land and Water Transport has completed its work. It has eiuloised the principles of the Barcelona and Ponterosa Conferences. It recommends that the latter be made applicable to all the European Pow'ers and also that railways experts in Europe be summoned to co-ordinate and improve international traffic. It also recommends that the League of Nations lie asked to keep an eye on the political side of the conference operations.