Genoa Conference.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 April 1922, Page 3

Genoa Conference.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. PROGRESS AT GENOA. LONDON, April 27. The Australian Press Association' • Genoa correspondent states the sun committee dealing with customs ha' nearly completed its task. It am s ai co-ordinating regulations throughou! the world introducing common com mercial terminology in customs documents. The sub-committee on economics u developing a scheme to abolisli double income tax. Satisfactory progress wa.made. In drafting the note to the Russian*, some papers continue to describe the note as an ultimatum. It is nothing „f the. kind, being merely intended -is an exhortation to the Soviet to hasten proceedings. GERMAN DENIAL. LONDON, April 27 The German Embassy in London has issued an emphatic denial or rumours that secret negotiations are proceeding with a view to the conclusion of a Russo-German military Treaty under which it is alleged Germans would man Russian warships and train the Red armies. RUSSIAN INTENTIONS. LONDON, April 27 It is stated the Russians are awaiting the Allies note on the first seven points of the Experts report. They state they have not the slightest intention of breaking pourparlers, but are firmly determined to maintain sovereign rights and contend that the Soviet alone remains faithful to the essentials of Cannes. No reply has yet been received from Paris relative to a meeting of the Versailles Treaty Signatories. It is expected the plenary session next week will deal w ith the reports of the second, third, and fourth commissions. The Germans are delighted at Lloyd Geotge’s speech declaring it is the best exposition of the European situation yet made. * FRENCH VIEW. PARIS, April 27. M. Rarthou points out Hon Lloyd George’s programme included a discussion on a possible sanction on May 111 if the Reparations Commission notified Germany’s default. The view taken 1 Paris is that the acceptance of the discussion of Reparations sanctions prior to the end of May is likely to seriously prejudice the Commission’s decisions. ' Mr LIOYD GEORGE. GENOA,- April 27. Mr Lloyd George informally conferred with the heads of delegations and €x pects to outline his non-aggression pact scheme at the Plenary session conference on Monday. The Supreme Conned will probably meet on May 6th. The Germans will be invited to attend. RE-DRAFTING PEACE TERMS. m PARTS, April 28 Premier Poincaire denitely states that he cannot accept the suggestion that the reparations question shall he examined again fundamentally at Geiifla by art 1 liter-AI lied Commission. France objects all the hiore so because the Reparations Ceimmis-inti is m'nv dealing with this matter, and it wfiuid not be possible to accuse Germany of violating the treaty until after May 31, as France’s acceptance of the suggestion would only have the effect of pre- • .judicing the work of the commission, which alone can consider the necessary measures. LEAVING FRANCE OUT. GENOA. April 28. It is stated that if M. Poincaire refuses to eotrie to Genoa, the Allies are prepared to meet without linn. Dr Rathenau (Germany) d elaves that Germany will willingly enter a part of peace. It is authoritatively stated Mr Lloyd George is determined to open all the questions of the reparations at a meeting of the Versailles signatories. POSSIBILITY OVFR RUSSIA. GENOA, April 27. Apropos of the Russian attitude, M. Tclutcherm states it is impossible for Russia to surrender on flic* question ot the payment of private d bts, when the bourgeois governments that are not participating in the conference are not disposed to concede similarly. Hence the failure of the conference seems inevitable. It is being stated that there is a possibility the Russians will meet the Italian views, and wll submit the Allies’ demands to the Russian public opinion, returning for another conference in Iwn or three months. FRENCH CABINET’S ATTITUDE. GENOA, April 28. The Cabinet has telegraphed to M. Barthou agreeing with the delegation’s attitude and instructing them t.o stand to the Cannes resolution and closely follow M. Poincaire’s policy towards the Soviet. \ RUSSO-GERMAN DINNER. I>A UTS Am il 28.

Advices from Genoa state that the Russian delegation had dinner with the German delegates. The tenor of the speeches has not transpired. Some members of the Italian police were present.

CONFLICTING PRESS VIEWS. LONDON, April 28

_JVIr Lloyd George’s speech has had a mixed reception from the Press. The “Westminister Gazette” denies that the Treaty will not stand reinforcement. It might defer the rise of Germany and Russia, but it could not . permanently keep them in subjection. That is what Mr Lloyd George means, when he says that, if a pact of peace is not arranged, Europe will again be why we are compelled to tell France that we must steadfastly oppose her proposed policy. “The Morning Post” supports the French attitude. It says.—The Treaty of Versailles is a gicnt instrument of human liberty, sanctified by the blood of millions of upright men.” The “Daily News” says:—“The way to make an ultimate catastrophe certain is to badger, torment, blackmail am.l f MSttvade.Germany, and tp insult, ast r acise Russia »'

1 The “Daily Express” says:—“Mr Lloyd George’s views embody the opinions of all the most sane and far seeing of his countrymen.” The “Daily Telegraph” says:—“lt is a terrible utterance to come from a statesman at the centre of international affairs, who has been feeling the pulse of our common civilisation. Will anyone declare he is wrong?” CONFERENCE REPORTS. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.in.) LONDON, April 28. « The Australian ' Press Association’s Genoa correspondent says there is an indefinite sense of depression in Conference circles, accentuated by the delay in preparing the Allies note to the Soviet, coupled with M. Poi non ire’s attitude regarding the meeting of Versailles signatories. Active propaganda among the various delegations has raised confused issues. There are many rumours that the Conference is doomed to failure. The British stoutly maintain that even without Russian and German co-operation they will carry the Conference to a conclusion. In view of the difficulties with the Soviet, i it is noteworthy that the Allies are pressing on the draft of the pact of peace, whatever the outcome of the economic situation may be.