Genoa Conference.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 May 1922, Page 2

Genoa Conference.

AUSTRALIAN'AND n.z. caulk association. DIPLOMACY IN FULL SWING, LONDON, May 9. A special correspondent at Genoa referring to German hopes for the reestablishment- of the Bismarekian sys- ; tern of' Gorman mastery of Europe, states that since the Franco-Russian, Anglo-French and Anglo-Russian Ententes had definitely broken the system the supreme object of the Germans was to drive a wedge between France and England. Until last week the efforts seemed doomed to failure, butnow the Germans and Bolsheviks together continue them and there is a strange probability they will succeed unless British public opiniqn is speedily manifested in unmistakable fashion. The Bolsheviks have a treaty which is tantamount to an alliance with Germany. If, thanks to German Government offices, the Bolsheviks return an acceptable reply to the concerted document, a strong link will be forged be-, tween Britain, Germany and Bolsheviks. France and Belgium would then be confronted with the alternative of standing out and facing isolation in the uncertain company of United States. Pending a probable agreement between France and Germany, who would then turn backs upon England, having secured de jure recognition from Britain Italy and some others, the Bolsheviks would be able to conclude legally valid industrial and petroleum agreements.

HAPPENINGS AT GENOA. GENOA, May IT

It is reported Signor Sohazer (Italy) ha s induced the Belgian delegates to take a more conciliatory attitude. Reports from Paris, however-, suggest the French delegates may withdraw.

Even in such ah eventuality Mr Lloyd Geoige it is stated, is determined to continue the conference’s work.

A delay in receiving instructions from Aloscow on various points may prevent the presentation of the Russian reply to tlie Allied Memorandum until tomorrow.

The convening powers met this morning, and disposed of a number pf important questions, notably those of typhus and the children of Eastern Europe. Mr Lloyd George drew attention to the extreme importance of the matter and it was decided to deal with it at a plenary session of the conference.

Mr Lloyd George proposed to discuss the Eastern Galician frontier at the subcommission, and to endeavour to settle it in accordance with the existing treaties, also the question of Vilna. M. Barthou pointed out that those matters that are covered by the existing treaties should be referred to existing machinery. He did not think they came within the Genoa agenda. Mr Lloyd George insisted that they were urgent from the viewpoint of. European peace, and came within the scope of the Cannes Resolutions. He was determined to raise them at the sub-commission, and if necessary, carry them before the full conference.

Al. Rarthou reserved the right to oppose this in reference to the plenary session, but was prepared to discuss it at the sub-commission.

TTie Angora Government has claime I the right to attend the Genoa Conference. M. Ttarthou said the Constantinople Government, which is a Europcan Power was not present, and therefore they could not consider the request of the Angora Government. THE RUSSIAN REPLY. LONDON, May 9. The London “Daily Chronicle’s” Genoa correspondent writes: Enough is known of the contents of the Russian reply to justify the belief that it will lie acceptable as a, basis of discussion, but the French delegates are emitting most horrible threats if the Russian answer is not a plain “Yes.” If the incredible happens, and the French go, t! e conference will continue without them. After an agreement with Russia is reached, the Eastern frontiers will be settled, and then the Peace Pact will, he discussed. Mr Lloyd George’s jaw is set, as he is determined to complete, correct, or improve the work imperfectly done at Paris. In this he has the support of the leaders of the greater part of Europe. At Genoa the British Empire delegates discussed conference matters at length to-day and Mr Lloyd George entertained overseas representatives at dinner. GERMAN HOPES. LONDON, May 9. The special correspondent of “The Times” at Genoa, referring to the German hopes for the re-establishment of the old Bismarckian system of a German mastery in Europe states that since the Franco-Russian, the Anglo-French, and the Anglo-Russian ententes had definitely broken that system the supreme object of the Germans was to drive a wedge between France and England. Up till last week their efforts had seemed doomed to failure but now the Germans and the Bolsheviks together continue them, and there is a strong probability that they will succeed, unless the British public opinion is speedily manifested in an unmistakable fashion. The Bolsheviks (lie'says) have now a treaty which is tantamount to an alliance with Germany. If, thanks to German good offices, the Bolsheviks re-. turn an acceptable reply to the concerted document of the Powers, then a strong link will be forged between Britain and Germany and the Bolsheviks. On the other hand, France and Belgium would then be confronted with the alternative of standing out and of facing isolation in the uncertain company of the United .States, pending a probable agreement between France and Germany, who would then turn their backs upon England. Moreover, having secured de jure recognition from Britain, Italy and some others, the Bolsheviks would be able to conclude legally valid industrial and petroleum agreements.