EUROPE’S TASKS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 February 1922, Page 5

EUROPE’S TASKS.

geno'a conference

POSTPONEMENT SOUGHT,

LEAD BY FRANCE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Paris, Feb. 9. M. Pojpc&re, addressing the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chambe - , said that he had asked the Allied Governments to postpone the Genoa. Conference for three months, because a postponement was essential to arrange the detailed programme necessary for such a conference. He added that it was unnecessary to go to Genoa before June, otherwise the idea would be given up. Received Feb. 10, 5.5 p.m. Paris, Feb. 9.

The Government has issued a Note stating that if any Government does not completely accept the Cannes conditions France cannot be represented at Genoa. She insists that before the discussion opens the Allied Governments must agree to an interpretation of the principles of the Cannes resolution.

The Note points out that as invitations to the Genoa Conference have been issued by the Allied Powers, there is no question of France accepting or rejecting them. Nevertheless she could abstain from participation if the invitation were accepted ujnder conditions compromising its rights and threatening its interests. The Soviet Government, in reply to the Italian Government, makes no allusion to January 6, therefore if the Soviet or any other Government did not completely accept the preliminary conditions, France could not send a delegation to Genoa. It is essential, if the French Government is to participate, that a complete understanding must be reached with the Allied Governments regarding the interpretation of the articles in the conference programme on questions which may or may not arise, and on. the precise instructions the Allied delegations shall receive to counter efforts of a contrary character. The Note emphasises as an essential condition a complete agreement on fundamental principles before discussion opens, otherwise the Governments wishing to oppose the January conditions would introduce dangerous conditions which they would endeavor to insinuate through the fissures in the programme, if the latter were not constructed in a rigorous fashion. Therefore the Allied Governments must agree on every interpretation of the I principles contained in the Cannes reI solution, since these principles constitute the first article of the Genoa programme. It is extremely important that the restriction laid down in January relating to the conditions necessary to restoration of confidence without trespassing on existing treaties, should be applied to the whole programme and dominate the discussions at Genoa. Any interference with these treaties would profoundly disturb the peace of Europe. The No|e concludes: “It would be particularly inadmissible that the Genoa Conference should replace the League of Nations in the task which the treaties assigned it, and which the League alone is in a position to accomplish. It seems scarcely possible that the programme drawn up at Genoa can be prepared in such a short period, and unless the conference is to end in disorder and confusion it should be postponed for at least three months.”