GENEVA CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 8 December 1927, Page 2

GENEVA CONFERENCE

'Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) GENEVA DISCUSSIONS. LONDON, Dec. 7. The Australian Press Association correspondent at Geneva reports that the Council held a brief uninteresting public sitting yesterday morning, business being confined to the reception of reports. After this, interest centred in attempts by the “big five” (Sir Chamberlain, At Briand, M. Sc-ialojja, Herr Stresemann and AL Adachi), to straighten out the Polish-Lithuanian situation, Before coining into open Council upon Lithuania’s complaint, the “Big Five” had a lengthy sitting at AL Briand’s Hotel. Legal authorities were in attendance. At the conclusion Sir Austin Chamberlain bolted through a crowd of journalists in a motor car, determining not to submit to questioning.

Vaidermaras learned of llie proceeding from Seialoja It is believed tlie position at present is shaping in the direction of Lithuania declaring contrary to what she has done hitherto, and that there is no state of war existing with Poland at the same time, making clear that she does not renounce her claim to A T ilna.

The Council thereupon recommended the parties to resume normal relations. It will possibly agree officially to take a note of Lithuania’s Vilna protest. Air Collin (Holland) read a report of the International Conference on the abolition of import and export restrictions. The Council decided to give an opportunity to the Soviet. Alexieo and other non-member slates, to adhere to the Convention, which M. Collin said was signed at present by nineteen states. He added that the convention will become effective in 1929. and should result in an immediate improvements of trade conditions. THE LITVINOFF INTERVIEW. GENEVA, Dec. 6. The outstanding Impression in tlie League circles regarding tlie Litvinoff interview is not that it was abortive, which was inevitable, but the fact that the Soviet climbed down to making the first contact. It is generally considered a prelude to further advances; this time together with guarantees, and virtually expresses the begining of a modification of the Soviet policy in tlie direction of Western civilised States.