RUSSIA’S REPLY.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1922, Page 5

RUSSIA’S REPLY.

FORECAST OF CONTENTS. ARGUMENT SET UP. RUPTURE NOT DESIRED. By Telegraph.—Press Asm.—Copyright. Received May 10, 11.45 p.m. Genoa, May 9. The Russians have communicated the general trend of their reply to the Allied memorandum, which will be presented on May 10. The reply is apparently long and argumentative, but the Russian delegates declare the note is prepared in a spirit of conciliation. After disagreeing with some of the memorandum proposals, the hope is expressed that difficulty will not present itself in eliminating the political features of the memorandum, inasmuch as the Russians have generally endeavoured to bridge the conflicting social and economic systems.

The desire is emphasised that negotiations should not fee ruptured, and it is declared the Russo-British trade agreement, if not wholly satisfactory, has resulted in the two countries becoming less distant. They think the Genoa Conference has proved a great help. Regarding the clause dealing with the restitution of private property, the reply holds that the world must accustom itself to the fact of the existence of a European State, whose life is based essentially on the system of State pro-perty.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

V ATICAN AND CHURCH FREEDOM. THE PROPERTY DIFFICULTY. Received May 10, 9.5 p.m. Genoa, May 10. The Vatican has memorialised the conference, requesting that any agreement sought by Russia should secure religious tolerance, freedom of worship and security of religious property. The Russian reply to the Allies’ memorandum is expected to-morrow. Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. Received May 10, 9.5 p.m. Paris, May 10. M. Millerand has returned and attended a Cabinet meeting, which unanimously approved the decision to adhere to the Russian memorandum, subject to the modification of article 7, but there will be no compromise on the subject of private property in Russia. The Petit Parisien states the British and Italian delegates have arrived at a formula which will facilitate an agreement with Russia. The proposal is'to leave article 7 (regarding’the restoration of private property) out for the present, allowing each country to negotiate separately with the Soviet on the question. The British delegation also propose that a pact be signed only for five years, making no reference to existing treaties, in order not to involve neutral countries. It is also not regarded as essential that all countries should sign. _______