GENEVA CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 7 December 1927, Page 2

GENEVA CONFERENCE

'Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) GENEYA, Dec. 5. Litvinoff, en route to see Sir Austen Chamberlain, said he would discuss only the Anglo-Soviet and Polish-1 Jtliiianian relations. If Chamberlain raised the question of subversive propaganda in Britain, be would point out it was a matter which did not concern him, but the Communist International, for which the Soviet Government, which he represented, was not responsible.

GENEYA, Dec. 5. Sir Austen Chamberlain and Litvinoff met and parted with the result expected when Litvinoff beforehand injudiciously announced that if Sir Austen Chamberlain raised the question of Red propaganda, he would have to point out the difference between the Soviet and the Communist International, over which the Soviet had no control. Litvinoff had divined correctly, and it is understood that the interview ended rather abrutly when Russia, sought to absolve the Soviet Ti om blame. Still League circles regard it as something of an event that the two

were brought together. Gossip overnight gave credit for this, in the first place to Al. Briand, then to Herr Stresemann. but the story now most current is that the way was payed by two British correspondents. It is said that after a talk with Sir Austen Chamberlain, they roused Litvinoff from bed after midnight, and induced him to make an approach by letter, which Sir Austen Chamberlain laid down as an essential condition and precedent. Litvinoff was summoned just in time to defer his departuie by the morning train for Berlin. A crowd of photographers, journalists and detectives were beside the Hotel Beau Rivage, where Litvinoff arrived at 2.30, and emerged an hour later. In reply to enquiries as to what was the result, lie laconically observed: “Nothing interesting.”

Tlio pair bad agreed to issue a communique according to wbicli the meeting was the occasion of frank exchange of views on Russo-Brittsli relations, and it was not possible to find a basis of understanding. Litvinoff leaves to-morrow, after a result less visit, except that as lie announces, lie obtained from At. Biiand an assurance that the Rakovskv affair bad ended, and that discussions would be renewed on questions of debts, credits and a Franco-Russian non-ag-gression past. In addition. I.itvinoif made representations to M. Briniul and the Polish delegation in reference to the Pof.ish-Liithuanian situation, in connection with which it is suggested the Council of the League may appoint a commission of five from Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Japan to investigate the problem.

INTERVIEW SUGGESTED. BY LABOUR DAILY’S REPRESENTATIVE. LONDON. Dec. 5. George Sloeonib, the “Daily Herald’s’’ correspondent, in a message from Geneva, says: As the result ol information I possessed, I was able to make entirely on my own responsibility certain suggestions to Litvinoff which resulted in a midnight telephone call from the Soviet delegation to a British official, asking in the name of Litvinoff if Sir Austen Chamberlain would receive him. An answer was promised early in the morning, and received at nine o'clock, fixing 2.30 in the afternoon.

An Australian Press Association correspondent says it is understood that Litvinoff informed Sir Austen Chamberlain that he might expect to hear further from Afoscow when the conversation was reported to his colleagues. DISPUTED TERR ITOR.Y. GENEVA. Dec. 5. In consequence of the new Hungarian proposal for settlement of tlio dispute with Roumanin, under which the latter would keep translerred arable land in Transylvania, but pay compensation for forests and vincyaids. the Council lias postponed consideration of this matter till March, in the hope that the parties will agree.