AT GENOA.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 April 1922, Page 5

AT GENOA.

WORLD’S RAW MATERIAL. QUESTION OF CONTROL. RUSSIA’S NEW CLAIMS. By Telegraph.—Preps Assn.—Copyright. Received April 17, 7 p.m. Genoa, April 16. The economic commission lengthily discussed the exchange of raw materials. Signor Baldese, an Italian socialist deputy, submitted a motion declaring that the absence of economic equilibrium had caused rivalry between the nations and therefore monopoly over raw materials wouiu require rational regulation, both in the interests of the producing countries and States wishing to produce raw materials; also, that an international consortium should control prices and distribution in regard to wool, cot ton, coal, flax and hemp. The sub-commission approved the motion on fundamental principles, with some reserve on the proposition to establish an international consortium.

The smaller Powers, which are not represented at the Villa Albertis, are becoming restless and are memorialising Signor Facta (chairman of the Conference) to summon the first sub-commis sion to consider the details of the informal conversations a far as they have gone.

The Russians are making a counterclaim for the expenses incurred in resisting the attacks by Wrangel, Koltchak and Deniken, but the Allies point out that the Brest-Litovsk peace made between Russia and Germany caused expense to them far outweighing the Bolshevist claims, and it is quite unlikely they would entertain them. The Russians claim £3,500,000,000 as indemnity on account of the actions already cabled, and an additional £l,500,000,000 on account of the occupation of Bessarabia and Georgia.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. OBJECTS OF THE CONFERENCE. SOME OF THE DELEGATES. The s'eope of the Genoa Conference is defined by the resolution passed by the Allied Powers in conference at Cannes on January 6. 1922, which reads: The Allied Powers in conference are unanimously of opinion that an economic and financial conference should be summoned to which all the Powers of Europe, including Germany, Russia, Austria, Hungary, and Bulgaria, should be invited to send representatives. They regard such a conference as an urgent and essential step toward the economic reconstruction of Central and Eastern Europe.... The Allied Powers consider that the fundamental conditions upon which an effort to eliminate the paralysis of the European system may be made with hope of success may be broadly stated as follows: (1) Nations can claim no right to dictate to each other regarding the . principles on which they are to regulate their system of ownership, internal economy, and government. It is for every nation to choose for itself the system which it prefers in this respect. (2) Before, however, -foreign capital can be made available to assist the country foreign investors must be assured that their property and their rights will be respected, and the fruits of their enterprise secured to them. (3) Effective security cannot be reestablished unless the Government of countries desiring foreign credit freely indicate —(a) that they will recognise all public debts and obligations which have been or may be undertaken or guaranteed by the State or municipalities or by any other public bodies as well as the obligation to restore or compensate all foreign interests for loss or damage caused to them when property has been confiscated or withheld: (b) that they will establish a legal and juridical system which sanctions and enforces commercial and other contracts with impartiality. (4) An adequate means of exchange must be available, and generally there must be financial and currency conditions which offer sufficient security for trade. (5) All nations should undertake to refrain from propaganda from motives subversive to order and the established political system in other countries than their own. (6) All countries should join in an undertaking to refrain from aggression against their neighbors. SPOKESMAN OF SOVIET RUSSIA. One of the most interesting figures at the conference will be M. George Tehiteherin, the head of the Russian delegation. M. Tehiteherin has been described as a mystically sentimental revolutionary of who=e sincerity there can be no doubt. Indeed, the high position which he holds in the Bolshevik party is due far more to his personal integrity and to the genuineness of his beliefs than to any administrative talents or political ability. Holding the “cheen,” or rank, of a nobleman, Tchitcherin inherited from his relations a considerable estate, which, as a Socialist, he voluntarily resigned. In the earlier part of his life he was employed for a few months by the Foreign Office of the old regime. Very soon, however, he abandoned this uncongenial occupation for the Socialist cause, to which he has since devoted his whole life. Like most of his colleagues, M. Tehiteherin has been an exile in many lands, and is a linguist of very considerable ability, speaking and writing French, German, and English with great facility and correctness. In 1907 he was a member of the Central Committee of the Berlin Democratic Bureau, where he played an important role as a Socialistic proselytiser among the numerous and needy Russian emigrants in Berlin. He did not succeed in escaping the watchful attentions of the Prussian police, and in 1908 he was arrested at Charlottenburg, fined for bearing a false name, and banished ■from Germany. During the first years of the war he lived in Lon don. where he established close relations with the British Socialist Party, being finally interned by the authorities. After the Brest-Litovsk treaty he succeeded Trotzky as Commissary for Foreign Affairs.

“LLOYD GEORGE OF CENTRAL EUROPE.” Another interesting delegate is Dr. Benes, the Foreign Minister of Czechoslovakia. Dr. Benes, who has been called “the Lloyd George of Central Europe,” is guiding Czecho-Slovakia in a policy of peace and reconstruction in

Central Europe, which is an exact pattern of the general policy for Europe which Mr. Lloyd George outlined at Cannes and destined for fulfilment at Genoa. That amazing country, three years old, has already formed a working partnership with her neighbors on the most progressive and successful lines. Having pioneered the resumption of trade with Russia in 1920, she further took the initiative in building up the Little Entente with Yugoslavia and Roumania, has made a treaty with Poland, and has just added one with Austria. As a pioneer of international post-war co-operation, Dr. Benes is likely to give invaluable help to the Genoa Conference. The British delegation is headed by Mr. Lloyd George, who is accompanied by Sir L. Worthington Evans, Secretary of State for War, in place of the Marquis Curzon, who is ill. The chief French delegate, in the absence of the Prime Minister, M. Poincare, will be M. Barthou, Minister for ,War. It is expected that Signor Schanzer, the new Italian Foreign Minister in Signor Faeta’s Government, will head the Italian delegation. The German Chancellor, Dr. Wirth, is attending, with the Finance Minister, Herr Hermes. Japan is represented by her two Ambassadors at London and Paris, Baron Hayashi and Count Aslui.