AT GENOA.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 May 1922, Page 5

AT GENOA.

BLOCKING PROGRESS. ATTITUDE OF FRANCE. ANOTHER INCIDENT. By Telegraph.—Press Aaan.—Copyright. Received May 3, 5.5 p.m. Genoa, May 3. The French attitude caused a sensation yesterday at a meeting or the political sub-commission, which met in the afternoon. The Belgians, who were absent previously, endeavored to secure the omission from the draft of a proposal giving the Russians the option of restoring or paying compensation for private property; the Belgians demanded restoration. M. Barrere (France), acting on behalf of M. Barthou, stated that he was instructed from Paris, after M. Barthou’s departure, that French approval should not be given until M. Barthou returned. Mr. Lloyd George said that such an announcement was unexpected, as M. Barthou, before his departure, was ignorant of thia. M. Barrere confirmed this view. The sub-commission then adjourned, after which the situation was informally considered. Two suggestions were made. Firstly, that a.telegram should be sent to the French Government explaining that the draft, as approved by M. Barthou and the other delegations, represented a compromise, and that to introduce amendments now would necessitate reconsideration de novo, and urging the French Goverrnment to confirm it without further amendment. Secondly, the possibility of introducing some words in a critical article dealing with private property to enable the French delegation to let the document go forward to-night. When the commission resumed the French delegate moved an amendment to this article adding further safeguards with regard to the restoration of property. Mr. Lloyd George said the amendment added weight to an article which ■wus already overweighted. That addition might well make the difference between a settlement and non-settlement. He was profoundly anxious to maintain the co-operation of France, and would accept the amendment in spite of the danger if France agreed to pass the memorandum. He added that failure to agree might mean failure to achieve the pacification of Eastern Europe, with consequences upon the regrouping of the Powers which it was impossible to foresee. He appealed to his old Allies and comrades to let the draft go through. M. Barrere said he was profoundly torched by the appeal. His position Was most difficult. He had cleat instructions not to approve until he received instructions from Paris. The French finally agreed to send the document to the Soviet with the reserve that the French did not give final approval pending instructions from Paris. Mr. Lloyd George then accepted the amendment. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

REVIVAL OF TRADE. FAVORED NATION CLAUSE. FRANCE AGAIN OPPOSED. Received May 3, 8.30 p.m. Genoa, May 3. The Economic Commission adopted a Swiss motion recalling the principles of equitable treatment in commerce contained in article 23 of the League of Nations covenant. It recommenijs the resumption of commercial relations on a basis of treaties of commerce, founded on the one hand on a. system of reciprocity adapted to special circumstances. and containing on the other hand a possibility of the most favored nation clause. The British preamble was adopted to this motion setting forth that most of the countries represented at the conference, while recognising the temporary difficulties which may preclude the general adoption of th~ most favored nation clause in all cases, affirm their conviction that this should be the goal to be aimed at. France dissented from the motion, suggesting that Britain was regarding the favored nation treatment too much as a doctrine and as the only reihedy for the European difficulties. There were other remedies, such as reciprocity and commercial treaties. The Belgians have written to Signor Facta, consequent on the Allies’ attitude towards Russia, withdrawing all offers they made tn the preamble to the note to Russia, including a subscription of £4,000,000 to the consortium. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BARTHOU ON PEACE PACT. USELESS WITHOUT RUSSIA. London. May 2. The Genoa correspondent of the Australian Press Association states that M. Barthou has left for Paris and will return on Saturday. On being questioned in reference to the pact of nonaggression, he said that if Russia did not accept the terms now about to be submitted, it would be useless to go on with the pact without her. Lord In ver for th, who is visiting Genoa in connection with the international corporation for developing European trade, has secured the adhesion of Canada, Japan, Holland, Czecho-Slovakia, Denmark. Sweden, and Norway. These countries have agreed in the aggregate to subscribe from four to six millions of the corporation’s capital of t £20.000,000, the balance of which will be found by England, France, Italy, and Germany. A COMPLIMENT TO AMERICA. Received May 3. 8.30 p.m. Washington, -nay 2. It is stated authoritatively that President Harding favors Mr. W. H. Taft's acceptance of the Genoa invitation to name the chairman of the arbitral commission to control Russia’s debts. He interprets the invitation as a tribute to American fairness. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.