AT GENOA.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 April 1922, Page 5

AT GENOA.

PROBLEM OF RUSSIA. DIFFICULT QUESTIONS. NO PROGRESS MADE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received April 16, 5.5 p.m. Genoa, April 15. The centre of gravity has changed from the conference proper to the .-ocalled informal conversations at the {Villa Albert, the residence of Mr. Lloyd George. It recalls what happened in Paris in 1019 when the Peace Conference resolved itself into the B»g Four. Genoa is seething with rumors, mostly wide of the mart, about what is happening in the Villa Albert, where the Russian question is being discussed. Naturally, those concerned in the discussions are laying down the maxim am of their wants.

The two chief points, round which a strong fight is proceeding, are the question of the recognition of the debts of the old regime and right of private property. At times there were serious phases in divergencies between the delegates. and it can be said that no distinct advance was made. Mr. Lloyd George, with characteristic phraseology, describes the position as follows: “We are getting a bridge across the stream and we have driven a number of piles. Now we have reached the deepest and most dangerous part of the current, where a few piles have already been driven in and seem firmly fixed.” NO COMPROMISE. From various sources it is learned that the Russians remain intransigeant on the question of law courts. There is much propaganda going on. Rakowsky speaks openly in one direction, whilst his colleagues thrashing out details with the Allied representatives apparently speak with a different voice. Various rumors as to what the Russians will do and what they will not do are eagerly fastened upon by foreign journals, especially Germans, who lay unjustifiable stress on these canards. It can be definitely said that no party to these discuseions has at the moment said, “So far will we go, but no further.” A statement by German journalists that an ultimatum has oeen handed to the Russians is absolutely untrue. Experts of the Allies, together with the Russian experts, conferred this morning, and are expected to submit their views to the de.egates at the Villa Albert this afternoon. During the conversations at the villa. Krassin was requested to furnish a report on European reconstruction from the Russian standpoint. In the villa discussions France took little parf. The weight of battle fell upon Mr. Lloyd George and Signor Schanzer, but M. Barthou. while sympathetic towards his Allies, felt he could safely leave the negotiations to them. The view taken by Mr. Lloyd George and his colleagues is that if they cannot get a general agreement with a minimum of guarantees -jy their efforts, it will be useless to leave the subject to the larger first commission to sort out. CLEARING THE AIR. Later reports state that the discussions at the villa continue, and have considerably cleared the air. It is not intended that decisions or agreements will be made, but merely general understandings. The Russians gave interesting accounts of the feelings of their people, masses of whom are ignorant, yet they are convinced there is a new world. 'Although chaos reigned all around, they are now endeavoring to create a new position out of this wreckage, yet they were confronted with demands for the payment of debts contracted by the old regime, and tney are unable at present to find the money. The British view, in reply, was that they must recognise that they do owe the money, which is due to private individuals, whose claims cannot be wiped out. It is understood that there is not likely to be any serious impasse on the question of these pre-war debts, but the war debts stand on a different footing. In the eyes of the Allies they are debts from .Governments to Government®, and therefore can be negotiated between Governments, and so far as Britain and others are concerned they do not want to press the Russians. too hard in the difficulties under which they groan. The Allies are prepared to consider the difficulties, but the signature of Russia muss be respected. The question of the restitution of private property is a more difficult problem. It is immensely troublesome to devise a practical method, as everything is nationalised. Russia must therefore discover a basis of compensation, but even here the problem is not insoluble. The Russians have submitted practical proposals for restitution, but these require examination. It is likely, as so many points have cropped up on which the Russian delegation is not fully instructed, that the conversations will be suspended for a few days to enable them to consult iloscow.—Aus.-N.Z- Cable Assn.

ATTITUDE OF RUSSIA. OPPOSED TO ALLIED PLANS. Received April 16, 5-5 P m - New York, April 14. The New York Times’ Genoa correspondent states that after two days’ fruitless waiting for the Russians’ reply to the Allied proposals Mr. Lloyd George summoned a conference between M. Barthou, Signor Schanzer, M. Theunyn and Tchiteherir. and Litvinoff to endeavor to pensuade the Russians to alter their attitude. It is understood the Russians are opposing all their Allied plans. It is understood Mr. Lloyd George succeeded in lessening the Franco-Russian friction. Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. INFORMAL CONVERSATIONS. v London, April 14. The Australian Press Association’s representative at Genoa states that a prolonged informal discussion between Messrs. Lloyd George. Barthou, Theunis, Tchitcherin. Litvinoff. and Krasein at Mr. Lloyd George’s villa lasted throughout the day and is expected to occupy all Saturday. Conversations) turn on certain points in the experts report which the Russians desire elucidated before framing their reply. It is 1 unlikely that the first commission will resume its deliberations before Tuesday.