AT GENOA.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 April 1922, Page 5

AT GENOA.

THE PACT OF PEACE. PRINCIPLES AP°ROVED RUSSIAN SITUATION. By Telegraph.—Press Asm.—Copyright. London, April 26. The Genoa correspondent of the Australian Press Association says that some French and Italian papers publish what purports to be the text of Mr. Lloyd George’s Pact of Peace. The document does not come from the British delegation and does not represent their views. A rough draft of the Paet has been prepared and submitted to the several heads of delegations, who have approved of it in principle. The Russian situation is still not clear. The Russians asked that the bank balances in various countries during the Ozarist regime should be surrendered, but this demand is countered by the fact that the Soviet has not restored private property held under the old regime. The position at present is that the expert committee is preparing a voluminous statement for the meeting at which the Russian claims and offers will be discussed. These minutes will require to be signed by those engaged in the discussion before work is resumed. The statement deals with questions 1 to 7 of the London experts’ report. The rumors that Mr. Lloyd George is returning to England are untrue. He intends to remain until the political aspect of the conference is settled one way or another, and a definite basis established.

The Russians take the view that if the Germans are exeluded from the First Commission, the Poles should similarly be excluded, because they concluded an agreement with Russia more wide-reaching than the RussoGerman Treaty. In no circumstances will Russia permit any third Power to interfere with their treaties.

The Poles deny the Russian allegation, declaring that what they signed at Riga was merely a protocol wherein it was declared that de jure recognition of the Soviet was desirable, but nothing so far has been done to give effect.

There are grave misgivings whether the question of private property can be overcome. It cuts clean across the Russian policy of nationalisation. If a modus vivendi on the point can be reached the rest of the work of the conference will be fairly easy.

DISCUSSION OF PACT. PROBABLY NEXT WEEK. PROPOSAL WELCOMED. Received April 27, 5.5 p.m. London, April 20. The Australian Press Association’s Genoa correspondent says that as all the signatories to the Versailles Treaty except Japan are gathered at Genoa, it is the view of most of the Allies that the opportunity should be availed of to discuss measures indicated by M. Poincare at the bar de due meeting. Probably next week informal conversations will be begun on the European Pact against aggression. Mr. Lloyd George had lengthy conversations with M. Barthou and other delegates with a view to collecting various opinions, and thus far there is a general desire for a pact. Russo-German opinions have not yet been obtained. FRANCE AND GERMANY. POLICY OF NO CONCESSIONS. Received April 27, 5.5 p.m. Paris, April 26. M. Millerand, in an important declaration at Philippeville, Nortn Africa, said France will not allow her rights to be questioned. She does not aim at domination, but thinks her reconstruction ought to proceed at the enemy’s expense. France is ready to resume relations with Russia when the Soviet has recognised the former regime’s debts, restored the damage done to personal property, and guaranteed private rights. The Allies should render harmless all the clauses of the Russo-Ger-man treaty clashing with the Versailles Treaty.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PESSIMISM Hi ROME. Received April 27, 5.5 p.m. Rome, April 26. Press views of the conference are increasing pessimism. The Messagero quotes a delegate of one of the great ■ Powers as likening the conference to a powder barrel, to which many are approaching with lighted matches. The Tempo declares all the remaining illusions have vanished and an antiFrench coalition is forming.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn,