AT GENOA.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 1922, Page 5

AT GENOA.

FRANCE MAY DEPART. CONFERENCE TO PROCEED. REPLY FROM RUSSIA. THE NOTE DELAYED. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received May 11, 7.50 p.m. Genoa, May 10. It is reported that Sienor Schanzer (Italy) has induced the Belgians to take a more conciliatory attitude. Reports from Paris suggest that the French delegates will withdraw, but even in such an eventuality Mr. Lloyd George is determined to continue the conference’s work. Delay in receiving instructions from Moscow on various points may prevent the presentation of the Russian reply to the Allies* memorandum until to-morrow. The convening Powers met this morning and disposed of a number of important questions, notably typhus and the children of Eastern Europe. Mr. Lloyd George drew attention to the extreme importance of the matter, and it was decided to deal with it at a plenary session of the conIhxence. Mr. Lloyd George proposed to •WUBS the Eastern Galician frontier at a •Hb-commission and endeavor to settle it in accordance with the existing treaties; also the question of Vilna. M. Barthou pointed out that those matters were covered by existing treaties, and should be referred to the existing machinery. He did not think they came within the Genoa agenda. Mr. Lloyd George insisted that they were urgent from the viewpoint of European peace and came within the scope of the Cannes resolutions. He was determined to raise them at a meeting of the subcommission, and if necessary carry them before the full conference. M. Barthou reserved the right to oppose their reference to a plenary session, but was prepared to discuss it at a sub-commis-sion. The Angora Government claimed the right to attend the Genoa Conference. M. Barthou said the Constantinople Government, which was a European Power, was not present and therefore they could not consider the request of the Angora Government. The. Vatican memorandum in regard to religious toleration in Russia was discussed. M. Barthou moved its reference to a sub-com mission. Mr. Lloyd George said there was no stronger supporter of religious freedom than himself. The subject had been a matter of conflict everywhere, and he suggested an inquiry to ascertain the real position in Russia. Signor Jasper pressed the Holy See’s request. Mr. Lloyd George replied that he could not see what action could be taken without infringing on Russia’s rights. He agreed that the note should be referred to a subcommission. The Pope had been a good friend of the conference, and he was quite certain he would not press the memorial to a point which might endanger the peace of the Eastern Europe Empire. Delegates discussed conference matters at length to-day. Mr. Lloyd George entertained the overseas representatives at din-ner.—-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BIG PROBLEMS AHEAD. PEACE PACT TO BE LAUNCHED. UXJYD GEORGE’S DETERMINATION. Received May 11, 9.5 p.m. London, May 10. The Daily Chronicle’s Genoa correspondent writes that enough is known of the contents of the Russian reply to juaify the belief that it will be acceptable as a basis of discussion, but me French are emitting most horrible threats if the answer is not a plain “yes.” If the incredible happens and the French go the conference will continue without them.

After an agreement with Russia is reached the Eastern frontiers will be settled, and then the pact will be discussed. Mr. Lloyd George’s jaw is set. He is determined to complete, correct and improve the work imperfectly done at Paris, and in this he has the support of the leaders of the greater part of Europe. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CHANGING FRIENDSHIPS. RESHUFFLING OF EUROPE. London, May 9. The special correspondent of the Times at Genoa, referring to the German hopes for the re-establishment of the Bismarckian system of German mastery in Europe, states that since the Franco-Russian, Anglo-French, and An-glo-Russian Ententes had been a definitely broken system, the supreme object of the Germans was to drive a wedge between France and England.

Until last week their efforts seemed doomed to failure, but now the Germans and Bolsheviks together continue them, and there is a strong probability that they will succeed, unless British public opinion is speedily manifested in unmistakable fashion. The Bolsheviks have

a treaty which is tantamount to an alliance with Germany, and if, thanks to German good offices, the Bolsheviks return an acceptable reply to the concerted document, a strong link will be forged between Britain, Germany, and the Bolsheviks.

France and Belgium would then be confronted with the alternative of standing out, or facing isolation in the uncertain company of the United States! pending a probable agreement between France and Germany, who would then turn their back upon England. Having secured de jure recognition from Britain, Italy, and some others, the Boisheviks would be able to conclude legally valid industrial and petroleum Agreements. ANSWER FROM RUSSIA. PREAMBLE OF THE REPLY. Genoa, May 11The preamble of the Russian reply, as communicated to Signor Schanzer, emphasises, the request for recognition and guarantees against outside intervention in loans. The reply contends the Allies have not touched these vital questions, but instead, they press for the payment of debts. The Russians agree to negotiate regarding the memorandum, pointing out that the document does not offer an equitable solution of the Russian prob1* but is even a step backward from

the memorandum of the London experts, and deviates from the Cannes resolutions. The obstinate resistance of the first sub-commission to any proposal except the recognition of debts was due to reactionary interests, which seek in the defeat of Soviet Russia the triumph of the capitalistic and the individualist. The Russians re-assert that they do not desire to wreck the conference. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FRENCH PROTEST. AGAINST RUSSIAN DELAY. London, May 10. The Australian press correspondent at Genoa states that M. Barthou has sent a sharp letter to Signor Facta, protesting against the Russian delay in furnishing a reply. THE OIL QUESTION. London, May 9. The special correspondent of the Times at Genoa says the oil question has now entered the political sphere. All the principal European delegations have received unmistakable hints from the American Ambassador that 'the United States Government still maintains its well-known standpoint in regard to private and general arrangements made for commercial and industrial privileges in Russia, and that such arrangements will not be recognised by the United States. Point is lent to this statement by the fact that the Standard Oil Corporation, which yields great influence in America, has a distinct status in the oil negotiations, owing to its acquisition of oil rights in Southern Russia and the Caucasus. Well-informed diplomats at Genoa are of the opinion that the British Government will not countenance any monopolistic agreement because of interntHrmtl CQZMiMUlftntiMa