Genoa Conference

Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1922, Page 2

Genoa Conference

TO MEET AT THE HAGUE.

GENOA, May 15. , The sub-commission adopted a reply to tlie Russian note based on tlie recommendations that the convening Powers represented at Genoa, excepting Russia and Germany, meet at the Hague on June 15th for a preliminary exchange of views, and to consider a line of action which a commission of experts should adopt towards Russians, and propose that June 26th when the Allied Commission will meet the Russian experts. If no joint recommendations are submitted within three months, or if such recommendations are not accepted by the Governments within a month after the date of recommendation, each Government will be at liberty to make a separate agreement with the Soiiet and other conditions as cabled yesterday. I A SUGGESTION REFUTED. ! LONDON, May 15. ; Lestrange Malone asked Hon. Cham, berhiin in the Commons whether his attention had beeit drawn to a leader in the Chicago Tribune suggesting that the King’s visit to Belgium and France • had a political object of counteracting , the effects of the Genoa conference. 1 Hon. Chamberlain said : —“I should have supposed the object of the . King’s visit to "Belgium and France to . the graves of the Empire’s soldiers was sufficient evidence to protect His Majesty against any allegations of this kind. The King’s devotion to peace and his ' strictly constitutional exercise of his ! powers are known to every one.” i (Cheers.)

GERMAN QUESTIONS. BERLIN, May 15 The German public is asking: “Where lies the guarantee that The Hague Conference will be any more successful than the Genoa Conference, which has taken five weeks confabulation and intrigue to produce the Russo German Treaty?” The Berlin financial paper “Boers Courier” says: “The most important result of the Genoa Conference is the fact of there being a second conference, which suggests, as a logical result a permanent conference, which will eventually be converted into a world parliament. This is an idea that was first expressed by President Ebert at the Leipzig Fair in March, IJ, is becoming the idea of the modern German politician."

LLOYD GEORGE’S ADDRESS. LONDON, May. 15. In their reply to the Russian Note, the Belgian and French delegations stated that they would recommend their Governments to adhere to these decisions.

Mr Lloyd George addressing AngloAmerican journalists, said the Allied and Russian Commissions would sit at the same table, and would discuss proposals but there naturally would be occasions when eiich would sit separate]y. It was not his intention personally to attend at the Hague, and the Allied panel would probably be confined to experts only. He had handed his proposals to the American Ambassador, with an invitation to America to participate in the Hague Conference. Then be would decide a line of action, without laying down any principles for the panel, who would explore the whole question. Any current negotiations „ between the European States and Russia would not be interrupted, but any new agreements would be marred—although, be said, there was no power to prevent individuals . from making agreements. If the Russians refused his present proposal, matters would be at an end. Later at the’ sub-commission, Mr Darthou protested against there being two separate commissions, instead of a mixed one first. In submitting bis protest to the sub-commission, said M. Barthou, M. Tchitcherin’s statement was based on an entire misconception. There was, lie said, no idea of excluding theßussians. They were invited to The Hague on a footing of equality. The object of the Allies in meeting t'-om was first purely as a preliminary, while the bar against N making agree-—-meats applied to other countries than Russia. *■

The sub-commission decided to invite the Russians to attend to-mor-row’s meeting. M. Barthou intimated that the French would not attend, as they had not approved of the original memorandum.

M„ Jasper intimated a similar Belgium attitude. • * Other Genoa reports state Mr Lloyd George has declared that -if the Rus sians agreed to The Hague conference it would be a prolongation of the Genoa Conference. If they did not the conference would be finished. Mr Lloyd George and Signor SchanKcr clearly pointed out that the Rus-

sians were free eo continue their negotiations already commenced for agreements with Sweden, Japan, andCzecho-,-lovakia, but the Allies would not sign or make any further agreements. Although M. Barthou \vill not attend to-morrow, he has undertaken that, if liussia accepts The Hague scheme he will recommend Paris to adopt the proposal.

NEW BLOCKADE ON RUSSIA. GENOA, May 15.

I M. Rnkowinki, Russian delegate, in | mi interview, said the Russians would ! nrotest against a separate commission, i He said the embargo on any separate i agreements with Russia was equivalent j o a new blockade, but it would be ac->— eepted with, the other proposals. The Russians, however, would now endea- ! vour to change the venue from The ; Hague to Riga, or to Stockholm. ' j LLOYD GEORGE’S RETURN. LONDON, May 16. ' ' The London “Daily Express” states: Mr Lloyd George returns to London , ! on Friday. • j He will make a speech regarding the ' ilcnoa Conference in the House of ' I Commons at an early date. 1 t U.S.A. REFUSAL. j WASHINGTON, May 15. 1 The State Department published America’s reply to the Allied invitation to , attend the Hague Conference. The reply declares that the United States has carefully considered the econmic exigencies of Russia. The United States is unable to conclude that she can fully j participate in The Hfigure meeting, as ! this would appear a continunce, under ! a different nomenclature of the Genoa 1 Conference, and it. would be diestined to encounter the same difficulties, if the attitude disclosed in the Russian Memj orandum of May 11. remainied unchanged.

I The reply points out that the ultimate inescapuoie question is the restoration of the productivity of Russia, which must be provided from within Russia herself but the United States has always been ready to join the Allies for an inquiry by experts into the economic situation'of Russia and the necessary remedies. The United States is most willing to give its serious attention to any propsals issuing from the Genoa Conference, or from any later confer- ' ence, but it regards tWe present suggestions in apparent response to the Russian Memorandum of May IT, »s lacking in definiteness, whioli makes impossible the concurrence of the United States in the proposed plan. Sill FRANCIS BELL SUMMONED TO GENOA. ' AUCKLAND, May 16. 1 Mr Massey has received a telegram ' Sir Francis Bell, stating that Mr Lloyd George had telegraphed him requesting his attendance at the Genoa. Conference and he (Sir Francis Bell) was according- ' ly leaving London to-morrow morning , for Genoa. ‘ ■ Mr Massey addled that it would be recollected that it had been arranged I that in the event of Sir. Francis Bell arriving in England in time for the Genoa Conference, he would represent New Zealand but if not, the representation of the Dominion would be trust- ' ed to the British delegates. M ! i U.S.A. MOVE. WASHINGTON, May 15. Senator Borah has introduced a resolution into the Senate, suggesting the recognition by U.S.A. of the Soviet of Russia. Senator Borah and' Senator Hitchcock, during a long debate that followed, both discussed th»a failure of tlip Genoa Conference, for which the former blamed France entirely. Senator Hitchcock said that the Unitied , States should go tq The Hague. Senator Borah agrocsd, adding: “If the Gor 7 man reparations and the Russian SO; viet’s recognition are to be thiere discussed U-S.A., should be there. It is understood that Senator Borah’s resolution will command strong support in both the U.S.A, House apd the Senate,