Genoa Conference.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 May 1922, Page 2

Genoa Conference.

• USIKAMaN and it.z- cable association. DANGER OF A DEADLOCK. LONDON, May '7. English correspondents at Genoa adopt increasingly pessimistic views of 1 the possibilities of a deadlock. The •‘Chronicle’s” student of politics referring to M. Barthou’s statement regarding the Russian reply says M. Poincaire’s refusal to meet Hon. Lloyd George is disappointing. It is not too much to say that the whole existence 5 of the Entente is at stake, not because 1 of anything Lloyd George may say or do, hut because the British public thinks Franee is obstructing peace, on which it- has set its heart, GERMAN PAPER’S VIEW. 1 BERLIN, May 1. ■ ■ Hon Lloyd George is in the unhap- ‘ py position of being rended with equal f ferocity by Berlin, Paris and London. 1 “Vorwaerts” amazingly attacks the 1 Prime Miuister alleging scathingly that 3 he made the fate of Europe synonymous * with his electioneering plans. It says J “From the first hour, Lloyd George, f threatened by Parliamentary extremists • has fought for peace at any price. The 1 perception of this fact at Genoa is the reason the proceedings have 'been in--3 terrupted throughout by incidents. Lloyd George will submit to great pro--0 vocation if thereby he can take horns 0 a record of achieved results, hence n(j 8 one at Genoa is disposed to take the v various crisis seriously.”.

The paper attributes the ever widening breach between England and France to t-he approach of the British delegation to Russia. Lloyd George’s imperative need is a successful conclusion of he conference. ' POSITION OF PARTIES. 1 LONDON, May 8. The London “Times’s” special representative at te Genoa Conference draws attention to recent differentiations between the British and Italian attitudes at the conference. He remarks that so long as there was any hope of the conference proving a success, Italy stood so close in her relationship to Britain that her movements were almost ind;stingtiishahle from Britain’s. Now, however, Italian semi-official writers have received a hint to be kinder to France, and. as if by enchantment, the Italian Press is suddenly commenting j with obvious displeasure, upon the alleged attempt of the Anglo-Dutch capitalists to obtain a world’s oil monopoly from the Bolsheviks. Meanwhile

Signos Sehanzer (Italy) haß assured M. Bartlfou (France) that, whatever happens at the conference, Franco-Italian relations must remain cordial. The correspondent adds: “According lo reliable information, Mr Ltoyd George, in an interview with M. Btirtliou spoke in the most violent and extreme language. In substance, he said tho Entente, was ended, and that Britain henceforth considered herself ftee to seek other friendships. His advisers, lie said, had been long urging him to make an agreement with Germany even at the cost of abandoning the British claim to reparations. France, he declared, had made a choice between the • British and her Belgian friendship. The British Government felt deeply the conduct of France. Henceforth France might stand alone with Belgium. He did not blame M. Barthou, who had • done his best to lie conciliatory, but he had no freedom of action. British , opinion was hostile to France. Lloyd George said bis advisers, especially Lord Birkenhead, were constantly advising him to break with France.

LLOYD GEORGE’S SIMILE. LONDON, May 7. Addressing British seamen at he Sailors’ Home at Genoa, Mr Lloyd George said he, too, like them, had to encounter rough weather and tempestuous waves. He urged courage in fac ing difficulties adding: “If we cannot get through, let us go down like men.” "TIMES” COMMENT. LONDO NM,ay 7. “The Times,” in a loading article, strongly condemns Mr Lloyd George’ f statement to M. Barthou that the Entente is ended, as being a declaration of a proposed reversal of the policy of the British Government. It says: "It •is of the gravest character. We do not know whether It is intended as a threat, or as an expression of definite opinion. In anv case, it is of a nature to provoke alarm. The Premier has no right or authority, to subject the-people of Britain to such an ignominy as to force them into a choice between, the trie. friendship of France or an alliance -ith the Germans and the Bolsheviks. THE IRISH PROBLEM. lOTTRALIAN AND N.2. OABI-B ASSOC.. MON TRUCE IN THE SOUTH. LONDON, May 7. The first fruit of the truce appears to be placidity throughout South Ireland, which was joyfully welcomed by the unfortunate nerve jarred country folk, who for months past haYe lived in terror and distress; secondly, the release of all military prisoners by both sides; thirdly, the evacuation of Dublin port dock offices. 'Hie latter was par. ticularly welcomed because the ocoupa. tion caused a suspension of, trade and unemployment to thousands of labour, era and paralysed the port, BELFAST TRAGEDIES. LONDON, May 7. There was a recurrence of trouble in Belfast to>-day, after a fortnight’s peace. Armed men took men outside a house near Port Adjen, and shot them dead. Another was sniped at in the street. Two men were tarred ancj. feathered and turned adrift in the street, n^kef!.