Genoa Conference.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 May 1922, Page 2

Genoa Conference.

VUB'(ItAI.L»tX AND N.Z. GABLE ASSOCIATION. EARLY GENOA ADJOURNMENT MENT EXPECTED. GENOA, May 13. Mr Lloyd George lunched with the delegates of Norway, Sweden, Rumania Switzerland; and Japan.

It is stated he has assured himself Of a general approval by neutrals of his scheme for dealing with Russia. This scheme includes three mixed Commissions for dealing with Russian debts, private property in Russia and creditp for the Russian Government.

He hoped the Russian Debts Commission will get to work at Genoa. Lloyd George is also bent on dealing with V**e problems of the frontiers, in order to sea! his peace pact proposal. On the completion of the work of the Russian Commissions, it is expected the confer, ence will adjourn a fortnight hence.

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST SOVIET OF LOOTING. ROME, May 13.

In connection with the Genoa Conference, the Pope’s intervention' therein regarding religious freedom in Russia is connected with the Soviet’s whole-sale looting of the Russian churches and monasteries. The Catholic as well as Greek-Orthodox Churches are suffering After the Soviet had used up two milliards of roubles, which had'been taken from the gold reserve and which was used for revolutionary propanganda abroad, the Government decided fco raid, the treasuries of the churches.’ The dedicatory jewels from the holy ikons were sold abroad. The precious metal was also melted down by the People s Commissaries. They systematically visited every town and village and collected many tons of gold and silver. Thus 223 milliard roubles of silver alone was collected. The people in-some of the towns, including those of Smolensk, supported by the clergy, opposed the plundering. Riots followed. There Were a number of casualties there. Elsewhere the Bolsheviks called » meeting for workmen and explained the necessity for the confiscations, being due to the famine. The workmen then- set to work t hemselves in rifling churches and monasteries. Five days of this in Krasniapresna resulted in five tons of silver and much gold being collected from 51 churches. The Patriarch there issued a malediction upon the looters, but it had no result.

FEELING OVEIR RUSSIAN REPLY LONDON, May 12.

The Australian Press Association’s Genoa correspondent states: —“The Russian reply has produced something, akin at pessimism at the conference. It is now felt that the Genoa Conference has outlived its usefulness, and that the effort Hint is suggested by the British to endeavour to secure a truce is merely an attempt to prevent the conference from being an entire failure. The Russians have made the that foreign capitalists have not hesi*sted to invest capital 'in Russia. This encourages Russia in th© belief that. when the Genoa Conference terminates, whatever its result, there are groups of foreign financiers aiid commercial melt only waiting ,tt> exploit Russia's re= sources. This, together with the agreements Russia has made with Germany and with others, fortifies her ' against the demands of the Allied politicals. If a truce can be accomplished, the Genoa Conference probably will adjourn, and reassemble at some future date, at a. place not yet named. It is understood that France has no objection to a truce, bu she may raise the question of sanctions to make it effective.

ATTEMPT TO AVOID DEADLOCK. LONDON, May 12.

The Australian Press Association’s Genoa correspondent states: The .Brit ish Empire delegation, after an examination of the documents consider* that while Russia’s reply is stupid front the point of view of Russia’s interests, of being a propagandist, statement instead of one of practical value, the reply yet affords grounds for the tlenoa Conference to continue to work for the peace of Europe.' .Undoubtedly, so far as help to Russia, is concerned, the document will delay it, .and it makes it more difficult. The. British delegation is quite prepared to yefer the questions of Russian credits, debts, and private property to mixed commissions to study , tlie matter in detail, 'iliat seems a practical method of carrying on a study of, the Russian, problem, although entailing a longer delayv. Then, if it is thought necessary, the other great question of peace can- be gone into satisfactorily. To make a break on the Russian doouments, it is claimed, would mean that the border States round Russia would be' exposed to the danger of war, and -European peace might again be fundamentally disturbed. . Russia declares her readiness t oenter a peace pact. It in ‘ considered that there must be a definite guarantee against Russian propaganda and aggression while the commissions on Russian problems are sitting, and that tliis must be reciprocal on the part of all the nations. The British delegation also thinks that while- a peace pact cannot be established for' a definite period,- until frontiers'are ’settled it will propose a truce on the'existing de facto frontiers. It is believed there will be a good l fortnight’s work ahead to bring about such a result.^

A DEBATE ON RUSSIA. GENOA, May I>/ The First Commission. Had a long and serious debate on Russia. Mr Lloyd i George said the Russian answer was a. ] provoking and an unsatisfactory one, which was typical of a diplomacy which j always introduced argumentative docu- ' ments at times when they -really were __ I trying to do business. However/it| it# substance there was room to come' to . some arrangement. 'Everyone had lai > difference with publio opinion,' and it ! was not right for another statesman to criticise them too severely. .To break on the Russian document would be very serious for Europe and Asia. If they sent the Russian delegates back to a, great population in the grip, at famine and pestilence, they would feel that the door of hope was shut on them with a clang. No one oould doubt but ,j§ tjiat, fierce resentment wou}d ensue, which would be a menace not only tq Rusaia., but th> peace of toVtertlr

He was certain the Russians felt a need of credits, and the new conditions on which they could be obtained. He begged the people to regard the position from a practical standpoint and not to make the most of the clash of principles as between the two antagonistic systems. He therefore, proposed that they should, in reply to the Russians accept the suggested mixed commission or commissions which would dettl with the three, questions of private property debts niid credits. It was essential that these commissions should be mixed. Another meeting of the

I,ondon Allied Experts would be a waste of time . One thing, however, was essential. A commission could notwork in an atmosphere of menace and semit-hostility while armies were threatening frontiers, and propaganda rife. He thus proposed a truce on the basis of the de facto existing frontier, with a cessation of propaganda on everyone’s part. Finally he proposed that a sharp note should be sent in reply to the "Russians’ Note, which needed'an answer.

31. Bnrthou said that, acting on his instructions from Paris, ho was unable to discuss the reply to the document sent to Russia, which was one that they had not joined in sending. Speaking on Mr Lloyd George’s proposals he said that with regard to the suggested commissions the conference had already been discussing for five weeks the question which these commissions were to investigate, without, its nidkirig progress. The Russian reply had disowned the Allies’ Cannes condition. The French delegation had done what it could to reach a decision. "He did not think a commission could achieve any result. It simply meant starting the Genoa Conference over again in another form 1 He reserved the right to consider whether a commission, if not appointed by the conference might not later be appointed by the respective Governments, always provided that the Russians were not represented on these commissions, which Should be confined to the Allies find neutrals, and perhaps America. France he said cotild not accept Russian representation. Me saw it grave menace in the proposed truce, inasmuch as that propaganda would continue. Signor Schanzer (Italy) said that he was not prepared to take the responsibility of saying the Powers should abandon efforts at pence. After only five weeks’ work, they should not refuse Mr Lloyd George’s practical proposnls. The datiger of a rupture was very grent. The gravest of all was a . parting on the Russian Note by disunion on what was after all a matter of procedure. In regard to the goal they wished to attain, it would be a terrible disillusionment if the conference broke on a flimsy issue like this. ’ He appealed to M. Barthou to reconsider his view.

The commission adjourned for a few hours to see whether better counsels would prevail.

3IR GARVIN’S REPORT.

LONDON, 31ny 12.

3lr Garvin, the London ‘‘Observer’s’’ ■ Genoa correspondent says: “The final decision was expected some days ago, hut it was postponed, by shuffling, for a few days more. The conference will be over next week I It may finish soon in quietjigreement, on Thursday in an Open sitting, with utterances which will'fesourid through Europe. 31. Bnrthon returned from Paris with a double ultimatum from M. Poincnire, framed to shatter, the conference. 31. Poincaire practically, issued orders to the conference of 30 nations in general and Mf Lldytl George in particular. At first M, Biirtliott was instructed to support Belgium unconditionally on a pedantic and useless property clause. This clause was one framed regardless of the practical interests of British commerce nnd British employment, which few of our neighbours understa'nd and fewer still consider. The reasort is that Brussels in this matter, was n willing mouthpiece of Paris itself. The second ultimatum was worse. His Majesty, the French Premier, would not meet Lloyd George and the other signatories to the Treaty of Versailles to discuss before May 31, what will happen thereafter, in the expected case of a German default. "Never in the record of modern ententes and alliances has the Premier of any one country been treated with more peremptory disregard by the Premier of ttliothef. Mr Lloyd George—-to secure the attendance of the Frehcli delegation, at Genoa, nnd to keep it there—made concession af;or concession and consented to the exclusion of forbidden subjects from the formal proceedings, though a revision both of disarmament and of reparations were bound to be vital matters for debate at all the private meetings. By this cumulative persistence in a course of dictation Premier Poincaire, of his own initiative, has killed the Entente. Mr Lloyd George spoke to M. Barthou and to other French representatives, but it is an egregious and futile falsehood to say that he threatened that Britain .would not only dissolve the Entente, but, would seek an anti-French connection- with the other Powers. What Mr Lloyd George said was that M. Poin- ■ caire showed not the remotest knowledge of the British nation, and acted regardless of the honour and strength of Britain, or of those interests in .commerce the livelihood and existence of which concern its masses and classes alike. Mr Lloyd George did say that henceforth Britain would be with any Power for Peace and with no Power that was against it.

COMPROMISE LIKELY. GENOA, May 13. When the sub-commission resumed it was announced that conversations between Lloyd George and Bnrthou had progressed satisfactorily, and n compromise was likely. They meet again to-morrow to continuo the conversations. Representatives of other Powers expressed opinions on the true. Issii regarded the conference work ns much too important to he lightly abandoned. The whole world regarded the understanding ns most important. He approved of the British proposals. Switzerland was > enthusiastic of the truce proposal. Bnrthou said he Fioped an agreement was in sight. He hoped they would settle the question whether a commission be mixed or otherwise. On the question of the pact both England and France desired to learn the views of other countries. Hon Lloyd George said they should p(*ree npw wpofj n plw 0*

meeting the Russian Commission. He emplntsises the • great importance of coming to an agreement at Genoa, because it was obvious if the Powers started making separate agreements great trouble might arise. The Polish delegate said Poland had a separate agreement with Russia, but was anxious to have a general agreement. Jaspers said Belgium also wanted a settlement at Genoa and lie would be sorry of Belgium came to be regarded ns interfering with it. Schanzer said Italy already had a commercial agreement with Russia, which was still unsigned. They should fix the period in which the commission should report he suggested three moflths. TOICIO, 3lny 13. The Foreign Office announces Japan has no intention of making a separate treaty with Russia, but will abide by the result of the Genoa Conference.

THE KING’S VISIT. PARIS, May 1£ King George declined, on constitutional grounds, 31. Millerand’s proposal to meet during bis tour of the battlefields. The King explained that a meeting between the two heads of States during the Genoa differences, would assume a political aspect, it was desirable to avoid. The "Sunday Times” Paris correspondent expresses the hope that the King’s refusal will terminate the persistent efforts made by the French press to present the King, as opposed to the policy of his Ministers.

PROPOSED COMPROMISE. (Received this dav at 12.25 p.nt.) LONDON, Moy 14. The Australian Press Association’s Genoa correspondent states tiie convening Powers Have decided to ask America if slie desires to be represented oil the Hague panel. It is clear Russia will lie asked to appoint representatives to meet the panel, not as a constituent thereof. This ia undoubtedly a compromise to meet the trench attitude determination to keep Russia on the door mat, and is regarded as not likely to he accepted by Russia. A PROPOSAL OBJECTED TO. (Received this day at 12.25 p.nt.) LONDON, 3fay 14. The Australian Press Association’s Genoa correspondent says three convening Powers have decided their Governments shall appoint a panel representing the Governments participating at Genoa-to meet at Hague on Juno 15th. The Russians to appoint a representative to meet this panel. It is understood the Russians declared if such acour.se were adopted, they will refuse to accept it. . AGREEMENT FOR TRUCE. | LONDON, 3fay 14. The convening Powers have accepted Lloyd George’s proposals, including a truce, all agreeing not to make separate agreements with Russia. CONFERBNCE SIDESHO3V.

UNITED SERVICE TELEGRAMS. (Received this day »t 8.30 a.m.) U)NDON, May 14. The ‘‘Evening News” Genoa correspondent soys the grotesque conference sideshow is a motley array of envoys grandiloquently self-styled a league of oppressed nations of the Last comprising Anatolians, Egyptians, Palestinians, Syrians, Mesopotamians, Persians, Bokharans and Indians, in intervals conspiritng with and against each other. They flock to the largest and most dubious dance resort in Genoa. The notorious Enver Pasha is the prime instigator of this gathering, whose declared aim is to examine oriental prob. iems, with reference to Europe. His spokesmen are Bekin Sami, whom the Angora Government repelled, also General Hakki Pasha. 31ustaph a himself sent a delegate, Djallihin -from Angora, but he does not speak to Bekir or Hakka. The first formal act of the conference was to send a note to the President of Genoa Conference protesting against British control of Suez Canal, and Soudan. The note was naturally ignored.

THE PRESENT POSITION. LONDON, May 14

The Australian Press Association’s . Genoa correspondent says only Lloyd George’s skilfulness as a negotiator, tided over the conferences usual week end crisis. In face of France’s positive determination not to sit with the Russians on any Commission, it appeared as if Frnce must finally withdraw from Genoa, France ever since the firjit invitation to meet Bolsheviks at Principo in 1919, consistently refused to have anything to do with them.

There has been rumours ns to a compromise which Lloyd George effected with Barthou, but the most reasonable assumption is that he agreed that two Commissions should be formed, one consisting of Russians and the other of Allies and neutrals. This is a some \Chnit transparent device to save France’s Amour propre, but such commissions must actually sit together, if any success is to he obtained. It is quite impossible for both commissions to work by exchanging notes. The next interesting point is what the Russians think of both schemes.