GENOA CONGRESS.
SERIOUS BUNKERS. REMOVAL IMPROVES OUTLOOK. LLOYD GEORGE PEACEMAKER. Received April 12, 9.15 p.m. By Telegraph.—Press Amq. —Copyright. Genoa, April 11. The Genoa Conference at the outset had four serious bunkers to face. Firstly, in the alignment of the Powers. Were the victorious Allies to face the vanquished enemies? Secondly, Britain felt that if the Cannes resolutions were not acceptable it would be useless to go on. The third was one which could not be foreseen. That was: If M. Tchitcherin persisted in questionnig the Genoa agenda, serious results might be apprehended, but, so far, he has proved amenable to arguments. The fourth was also serious. Would the small Powers efface themselves in order to make workable sub-committees possible? They played the game. The removal of these dangers resulted in a more optimistic outlook. Once again France committed a “faux pas”. When Tchitcherin raised the question of disarmament M. Barthou heatedly declined to agree to discuss it, thereby playing into Mr. Lloyd George’s hands. The latter quickly seized the situation, poured oil on the troubled waters, and established himself in the eyes of the conference as a peacemaker. After an exchange of politnesses on Monday the first commission promptly got to work on Tuesday. It confined its opening deliberations to the first three clauses of he Cannes resolutions. The foremost effort of the commission is to secure peace for ten or fifteen years. This would answer Tchitcherin’s demand for disarmament.
The Russian and British view is that if the pact is made, disarmament will be a necessary corollary. Any sanctions, however, will be moral rather than legal, the assumption being that if any country broke the pact it would be treated as a pariah. There is also the economic weapon, which, with the co-operation of the League of Nations, could be imposed. COMMISSIONS APPOINTED. The British representatives on the first commission are Mr. Lloyd George and Lord Curxon. The Japanese do not occupy any chairmanships, as they regard the work of the conference as relating more particularly to Europe. Seven nations, including Germany, have two representatives on each commission, and the smaller nations one each. As the main commissions naturally will be large, they will again split up into sub-commit-tees, on which these seven Powers have one representative each. The smaller nations will elect four nations with one representative each. The latter, therefore, elected Poland, Roumania, Sweden and Switzerland. Tchitcherin’s protest regarding Roujnsnia and Japan followed, as cabled. SATISFACTORY PROGRESS. Members of the British delegation, interviewed, expressed themselves as satisfied with the progress made, and the amicable ' relations that exist. Despite Tchitcherin’s I protest, all was done in the best of good humor, and no irascibility was shown. As the work of the various commissions is of considerable magnitude it is unlikely that there be any plenary sessions until well after Easer. The display of military force is still maintained in the Plazzo Reale, where the commissions sit, being strongly guarded. Mr. Lloyd George moved a motion to circulate the report of the Allied experts prepared at the London Conference. In view of its intricate character and length, Tchitcherin asked the sub-committee to adjourn until Thursday to enable the Russians to study the document. This was agreed to. ’ RUSSIAN RECONSTRUCTION. COMPREHENSIVE SCHEME. AMPLE GUARANTEES PROMISED. Following is an outline of the proposals for reconstruction which the Russians will submit to tiie conference: It is agreed that the Soviets will fully recognise the public debts of the old regime, but it is pointed out that it is utterly impossible to pay them. The indebtedness to France alone totals 14,000.000,000 gold roubles; hence it is necessary to grant a moratorium. If the Allies demand a war indemnity from Russia, Russia must demand an indemnity for the damage done by the Koltchak, Deni ken and Wrangel offensives. Russia recognises that to secure the return of foreign capital to Russia the latter must insure adequate returns and ample guarantee?. The delegation will therefore present to the conference a new judicial code which has been prepared, covering foreign capital, property and individual rights in Russia. Russia does not intend to grant unlimited concessions of soil, or any of the great elementary industries belonging to the State, but will widen the field of State rights therein in granting concessions in mines, factories, forests, cultivable lands and other natural resources. These will be given under full legal guarantees which are now being prepared, including special tribunals for the settlement of disputes arising between Russians and foreigners. The plan provides for similar concessions and guarantees for the resumption of commerce, the State, however, retaining control over the monopoly in combustibles and raw materials, but the entire State control even in this is reducible as normal relations are increased. The plan further provides for disarmament, provided it is met by reciprocal efforts on the part of other States. RIGHTS OF DOMINIONS. SEPARATE VOTES CONCEDED. Received April 12, 5.5 p.m. Genoa, April 12. After a strenuous fight by Sir Joseph Cook and Mr. Walton over status, the Dominions’ right to vote as independent entities was conceded. Mr. Campion also secured similar recognition on the Finance Commission. Consequent upon the concession of independent representation to the Dominions, a new vote for the selection of four reprs*
sentativee of smaller nations resulted in the deposition of Spain in favor of Sweden. ANGRY SCENES. A TURBULENT RUSSIAN. MAKES A PROTEST. Received April 12, 8.10 p.m. Genoa, April 11. The conference sat in sectional commissions. Angry scenes marked the Russian Commission, owing to Tchitcherin objecting to the allotment of only one seat to Russia. He protested against the attendance of Roumania and Japan, the latter owing to her occupation of Siberia. Tchitcherin had to withdraw his angry expressions. The friction on Monday and Tuesday has created a most unfavorable impression.
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Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1922, Page 5
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967GENOA CONGRESS. Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1922, Page 5
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