MAY BREAK DOWN.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 May 1922, Page 5

MAY BREAK DOWN.

GENOA EACES FAILURE. WORLD PEACE INVOLVED. BLAME PUT ON ERANCE. OBSTACLE TO COHESION. By Telegraph Press Assn.—Copyright. Received May 7, 5.5 p.m. . London, May 6. Mr. J. L. Garvin (editor of the London Observer), writing from Genoa, states: “We have reached the pinch, owing to the Franco-Belgian demand and the Russians’ inevitable refusal. I anticipate that the conference next week will either break down or adjourn for a few months. “The Franco-Belgian insistence on some universal principle of abstract justice is cheap and futile. The FraneoBelgiau ideas of politics and economies are inherently and permanently opposed to those of the Soviet, but nothing can put Europe right except an agreement. The restoration of property by Russia is impossible, but the Bolsheviks are willing to compensate by means of concessions and shares to an extent enabling Western capital to fare as profitably under the Soviet as under the Tsar. “If the conference adjourns it will give both sides an opportunity for studying Mr. Lloyd George’s non-aggressive pact. Poland is the main difficulty thereto, and Roumania is another. The Russians are on strong ground regarding both. If Poland s present impossible frontier could’voluntarily be revised,, a ten years’ pact could be easily attained in a few months hence. Apart from political difficulties, the technical commissions’ solid work will not be destroyed; they have laid the foundations of a general law of economic intercourse which might last for centuries. “The Soviet is being besieged by con-cession-hunters among whom France and Belgium are sure to figure. Later, Russia’s oil attractions are certain to attract American aad European commercial men. whatever the Governments may decide.” Mr. Garvin says that Genoa by Tuesday will know whether the conference has achieved any common policy for a broken Europe or whether it has thrown back the pieces into the melting pot. He adds: “It looks as though what the conference’s friends wanted will not fully be attained; and neither will what its enemies expected. The present situation ie unparalleled in international affairs. M. Poineaire dictates orders and refusals like a Sultan. He would not come to Genoa or confer with the Allies, while at San Remo; he merely showered negatives, otfering no constructive alternatives. “M. Poineaire has been absolutely the enemy of the whole method and spirit of the conference from the beginning,

desiring its failure. He is the most stubborn figure in the world's affairs— I full of logical ability, but without a single ray of imagination or humour. Temperamentally, M. Poineaire is fundamentally antagonistic to Mr. Lloyd George, while, on the contrary, Air. Lloyd George and M. Barthou have become friends. The latter, like everyone else, came under Mr. Lloyd George’s personal spell, and had M. Barthou attended the conference as Premier it would have been a decisive success. “The conference, from first to last, has been a duel, but the conditions were unequal. Mr. Lloyd George, in the plentitude of his decisive conciliatory powers, has been in the open, with M. Poineaire in ambush. The latter does not believe in the conference, and he will finally obstruct the restoration of any complete European system. While chaos continues the French military policy reigns supreme, and until M. Poineaire resigns or the present reactionary French Chamber has been dissolved, France will not work for European cohesion.” —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

RUSSIAN OIL CONCESSIONS. DENIED BY SHELL COMPANY. PRE-CCjNFERENCE NEGOTIATIONS. Received May 6, 5.5 p.m. London, May 5. The Australian Press Association’s Genoa correspondent states that Mr. Walter Samuels, of the Shell Oil Company, a has arrived at Genoa. When inter- ■ viewed, he denied the agreement over F the Russian oil concessions, but admits that negotiations were proceeding with » Krassin prior to the meeting of the coni ference. but they were discontinued when the conference was summoned, as it was considered improper to proceed during its sittings. It is these pre-conference negotiations in various directions that have aroused suspicions which are difficult to dispel. The French and Belgians declare they have proof that the Soviet had agreed to give Belgian oil properties to the Shell Company, hence their insistence that the property should be restored and not compensated for. TCHITCHERIN INTERVIEWED. INTERDICTIONS RESENTED. RUSSIA’S RIGHTS INFRINGED. Received May 6, 5.5 p.m. Rome, May 5. The Tribuna publishes an interview with M. Tchitcherin, in which he declares the memorandum aggravates the conditions on which accord was based by Mr. Lloyd George’s letter of April 20. M. Tchitcherin says he cannot accept the interdiction on Russian territory of propaganda against capitalism. He also resents the Soviet’s right to negotiate with Roumania on the problem of Bessarabia being interdicted, and he says that the whole proposal in regard to a moratorium for Russia’s debts is too vague, and considers the proposed arbitral tribunal infringes on Russia’s sovereign rights. » BRITAIN’S CHOICE. TO BREAK WITH FRANCE. - OR RISK WAR. London, May 4. independent advices concerning Russia incontestibiy disclose that the Bolsheviks cannot continue under present conditions because they have exhausted

the avenues of spoliation and robbery. The Russians must obtain loans or trade reciprocity or be smashed. Germany asserts that she is unable to pay reparations without trade. Italy is bankrupt and must get raw materials. France prefers to.seize the Ruhr rather than assist to ressurect German trade. The position is that Britain must choose between trading with Germany or Russia, which she desires to do, or breaking with France, which she does not wish. If the Genoa Conference fails to acieve something a European war will be almost inevitable.—United Service. FRENCH DELEGATE RETURNS. ATTITUDE OF HIS CABINET. Received May 7, 11.5 p.m. Genoa, May 6. M. Barthou has returned. He saw Mr. Lloyd George this evening, when he stated that he was instructed by his Government not to give final approval to the memorandum until Belgium approved, but he was confident a formula would be found. Otherwise France approved of the memorandum and wished sincerely for the success of the conference. Mr. Lloyd George replied that the next step was to await the Russian reply. He said he had noticed that the French papers made reference to a meeting of the Supreme Council at Genoa. What he had suggested was a meeting of the Allied signatories- to the Versailles Treaty. M. Barthou replied that his Government clearly understood this, but his Government was not prepared for any such conversations until after May 31. It is understood the conversations which have been proceeding during the past two days between the British and Italian delegations and Krassin and Tchitcherin yielded absolutely negative results. The latter showed themselves decidedly intransigeant in their demands, and it is alleged that they asked for a minimum immediate grant to the Soviet Government of three milliards of gold roubles.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.