Genoa Conference.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 May 1922, Page 2

Genoa Conference.

HTBTUALIAN AND N.Z. CAJJLE ASSOCIATION. A RUSSIAN STATEMENT. ON DESIRES AND INTENTIONS. LONDON, May The Australian Press Genoa correspondent learns on good lliority that Russia came to the Conference with agreements signed by small States on lines of the German one. The latest of these agreements was signed as recently as March 22nd. This fact accounts for the truculent attitude of the Soviet towards the Conference, as most of these agreements were made with war worn countries. The Soviet ■ recognises they cannot help her greatly without financial help from the nations aj with capital. -J The Italian delegation replied to j Tchitcherin’s letter stating the meeting which had taken place had as their object the defining of certain pointß for tiie benefit of Russians. Therefore they could not recognise any adequate grounds for protest. Tchitcherin has also written to M. Barthou calling his attention to the comment in the French * press, and by Government, anent the Russo-German agreement, which had been interpreted as against the interests of France; also that the agreement was alleged to contain a secret clause of a military gressive character, while the statements by Russians and Germans apparently Jj had not allayed the suspicions concerning the real sense of the Rapnllo agreement, therefore the Russian delegation, in the interests of truth, and to dispel these rumours, emphatically declared the agreement does not contain any such clauses. The Soviet Government is not engaged in any act, direct or indirect, against France or'any other nation. The sole object of the agreement was the liquidation of certain questions pending between the two States, which had been in a state ot war. Both felt the necessity of re-p-tnblifilling peace, both iri the interests of themselves and humanity generally. It was ofilv the first of a series of agreements to complete a general understanding for which the fWrfi at Gcrioa were striving. Regarding France s position, the Russian Government considers several points of contact exist with France which will ensure agree-

meut. ; Tchiteherin added -Russia’s policj neier varied despite the hostile attitudi France maintained against her for yean This hostility .had created a lively re iciitment in Russian public opinon They were convinced that a change ii the part (if Frarice would be beneficial t< the ecoitolhie reconstruction of th< vei 11. His letter was dictated by j desire to dissipate the misunderstand inas'which might interrupt the confer once. A copy of the letter was als< sent to Hon. Lloyd George. M Barthoii savs the only observatef he had to make was that France wa never hostile to the Russian people, bu only to the Government, which signei the Brest Litovsk Treaty. Hon. Lloyd George is gratified tha the letter has been sent.

BRITAIN’S INTENTIONS. PARIS, May 1. It is reported, from several sources • lt Genoa, that Britain is now prepared to' conclude a separate agreement with Russia, if a general agreement with the Powers proves impossible. It is understood that Mr Loj George has informed M. Barthou to this effect. •