NOTE TO RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1922, Page 5

NOTE TO RUSSIA.

FORECAST OF TERMS. RECOGNITION OF DEBTS. DEMANDS NOT COMPLETE. By Telegraph.—Press Aajs. —Copyright. London, April 30. The Genoa correspondent of the Australian Press Association states that Clause 2 of the Note to Russia provides that any balance standing to the credit of the former Russian Governments in countries which made advances to her between August, If>l4, and November, 1917. shall be transferred to the Government which made the advance and the Soviet’s liability reduced pro tanto. The remaining eight clauses are not yet finally settled. Clauses 3 and 4 provide for the Soviet’s recognition of debts contracted by it or its predecessors with foreign nationals, also those incurred* by local authorities. Clause 5 insists on the recognition of private property claims, either by the enjoyment of similar property or compensation by bonds approved by the mixed tribunal.

Clauses 6 and 7 determine that amounts payable by the Soviet shall be satisfied by new 5 per cent, gold bonds with fifty years’ currency, taxation free, also how the remission of interest may be dealt with if Russian economic conditions so require.

Clause 8 deals with the creation of a mixed arbitration tribunal. Clauses 9 and »10 deal with the administration of justice on the lines of the Allied experts’ report and the conditions under which foreigners may reside and trade with Russia on the recommendation of the same report. Tchiteherin’s letter has not yet been submitted to the sub-committee. It is generally regarded as based on the false assumption that the Peace Pact has not gone beyond the stage of recording the opinions of various nations. It is recognised that it will take considerable time to draft owing to the highly controversial subject of the disputed eastern frontier. The Pope’s powerful appeal, addressed to Cardinal Gasparri, for the fullest assistance to Russia by the Powers has given lively satisfaction in conference circles. Mr. Lloyd George says the letter has given great encouragement to the Christian Powers at Genoa. THE POPE URGES PEACE. Rome. April 30. The Ossevatore publishes a letter from the Pope to Cardinal Gasparri, expressing Appreciation of the nations’ efforts at Genoa to bring peace to the world. It will mean the salvation of humanity if the conference succeeds; civilisation will be brought to ruin if it fails. Genoa, April 30. Mr. Lloyd George warmly applauds the terms *of the Pope's letter. The Holy Father writes with knowledge of the conditions in Western Europe. So clear a pronouncement in favor of peace with Russia is a great asset to the conference. RAW MATERIALS CONTROL. A WARM DISCUSSION. London. April 30. The Genoa correspondent of the Australian Press Association says the wisdom of Australian direct representation at the conference found ample justification in the debate opened at the plenary session of the Economic Commission, when Article 45 of the London experts’ report came under reView. Signor Rossi (Italian) raised the question of the distribution and control of the prices of raw materials. The British delegate did not believe It was possible to prevent countries placing restrictions on the export of raw materials if their fiscal requirements demanded it.

The German delegate expressed himself as in accord with the Italians in principle, but he could not accept the abolition of the right to impose export taxation.

The French delegate pointed out that various phases of the question had already been thrashed out before the League of Nations Assembly. Sir Joseph Cook strongly "opposed any interference with revenue or national necessities in regard to the export of Australian products. declaring emphatically: “We will not give up our rights over onr raw materials.” The discussion waxed warm between those producing primary materials and the manufacturing nations: the latter jealously maintained the right to impose export duties if necessary. while desiring that producing countries of raw material should have some form of control.

Eventually the Little Entente broke away, joining forces with the raw material countries. The debate continues. but it is unlikely the Italian proposals will be retained. At the raw materials commission ' Sionor Rossi said that he wished the commission had given more consideration to workers in manufacturing nations. Mr. Shepherd interposed that the workers in primary producing countries bad equal claims. Signor Rossi said that duties should be limited to 10 or 15 per cent. The British delegate replied that if a figure were inserted in the recommendation it should not be less than 25 per cent. The British proposals were not to restrict the freedom of action of primary producers. Signor Rossi declined the proposal and declared that he was prepared to contest the point in the full conference. Signatories to the Versailles Treaty are meeting at San Remo at an early date. FRENCH PEACE PACT POLICY. Paris, April 30. M. Poincare has submitted to Cabinet a counterplan to the Genoa Pact o non-aggression. Cabinet considers it absolutely necessary to include a clause concerning the application of sanctions if Germany defaults regarding repara- '■ tions. The newspaper L’Oeuvre states: Let M Poincare be not deceived. Never haa the public opinion of France been more in contradiction with the newspapers supposed to represent it. The majority of the French people will not have war at any price or under any pretext. No reasonable Frenchman can fail to perceive that France’s present policy of provocation in inevitably tend-

mg towards another butchery. Is it not enough that 1,500,000 Frenchmen lie dead ?” RUSSIA’S ATTITUDE. SPEEDY ACTION WANTED. Genoa, April 29. M. Titcherin has written to Signor Facta requesting the reason for the delay in summoning the First Commission, declaring that if it is not convened, and no reply received to the Russian letter of "the 20th to Mr. Lloyd George, accepting the conditions he will be compelled to withdraw the offer. THE BRITISH ANXIOUS. HOPES FOR ACCEPTANCE. Received May 2. 12.15 a.m. London, May i. The “ Times’ ” special representative at Genoa reports that Mr. Lloyd George still hopes for Bolshevik acceptance, but in case of a refusal, the British will withdraw and not take any further interest in Russian affairs. The British delegation is undoubtedly anxious. A section of a special train has arrived in readiness for their departure, which suggests a Lloyd Georgian gesture to bring pressure on the Bolsheviks. Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. RUSSIA’S WAR DEBT. MORATORIUM SUGGESTED. Received May 2, 12.15 a.m. Paris. May 1. Advices from Genoa state the Judicial Committee has adopted the formula of conciliation for inter-Governmental war debts. It is understood that Russia, in view of her financial incapacity, will be afforded a .moratorium. —Rueter Service.