The New York herald., 1922-04-21

success. He believed that it would
restore harmony In Europe, and was
supremely confident that before ad-
journing it would adopt an agreement
whereby all the nations of Europe
would bind themselves not to commit
acts OF aggression against neighbor-
ing countries.
Such a pact he exclaimed with
vigor, lis an essential to the favor
able issue of this conference; without
it. / believe. TIE conference Will be a
failure
Mr. Lloyd Georges decision TO talk
10 the press was an outgrowth of the
system at the Washington conference,
where the custom of the leading dele
gates receiving the newspaper men
daily worked so well.
Premier Sure OF Success.
Removing his win er overcoat. WITH
which Mr.. Iloyo George seeks to
avoid the April chills of Genoa, he
rather wearily stroked his thick white
locks. HIS first words gave disap-
pointmert-"I came not to make a
speech. hu' rather to answer ques-
tions and so clear up misunder-
standings" he said. "The public may
be said to be divided into two cate
gories-those who want to see the
conference succeed and those who
would like to see II go down in defeat
But the latter will not sec their desire
crowned. We are working through
our difficulties quite successfully
The Prime Minister then made the
announcement that the difficulties grow
ing out cf the signing of a separate
Russo-Gern,ar accord would be over
come, anr later lie made it clear that
he had cnod reason 10 believe the Ger
man Delegates we're preparing 10 accept
the suggestions laid down in the note
sent to them by the allied represen-
tatives. In u we're specific conditions
that he CermPns would be expected
not ~ sit m the commissions which
henceforth viii deal with Russian ques-
tions, because the Germans have al
ready settled their affairs with Russia
OUTSIDE the conference
80 dor v'ant to anticipate the char
acter - fte Soviet answer TO our pro-
posals for a general accord with Rus
sia.' continued the Premier. but
would he su-nrised II ii were not OF
such cha-a ter as to permit us to
go on With our work of reconstructing
the convu'sed and devastated conti-
nent. The sub-commission on political af-
fairs will meet tomorrow to consider
the Soviet reply. which Is due tonight
or tomorrow"
The meeting OF the Premier and news
papermen was then thrown open to
questions, with the understanding that
all should be submitted in writing This
announcement curbed the enthusiasm of
some who seemed prepared to submit
the British leader TO a grilliIg cross
examination. The first question was:
why does DR.. Rathenau say you
knew all about the Russo German treaty
In advance?"
Il don't know whether Rathenau said
that or not" came back the Premier
with amazing quickness. Certainly he
did not say it to me. II he did it would
have been absolutely untrue; ] knew
nothing about the treaty until met my
colleagues on the way to the afternoon
meeting
Mr.. Lloyd George emphasized that
everybody was on an equal footing at
Genoa. To make separate pact behind
the bas ks OF their colleagues was an act
Of disloyalty on the part of the Ger
mans
Not Plot TO Wreck Parfey.N
we wo.e justified in taking energetic
measures declared the Premier. THE
thing VIII a. good effect on the con-
ference
The next question was: Does the
Prime Minister think that the Russo
Germat treaty represented a deliberate
attempt 10 wreck the conference?"
To this Mr.. Lloyd George replied
"Whatever we may tn nix about the ac-
cord. do not think 1t was negotiated
with the idea of wrecking the confer
ence."
The German incident. he added. had
not consumed useful time OF the confer
ence. which had to wait anyway for an
answer from the Soviet delegates, and
he We confident that they would get the
answti in proper time for discussion
of tie project u pact or a guaranty
that TIE natlotr lf Europe solemnly bind
themselves 10 to engage in aggressive
acts against q cir neighbors.
The ..ext qtrcr awoke the Prime Min
lister from MS weariness What kind
OF people donS like the Genoa confer
ence2'
Quar-. elson> people," he exclaimed.
with an imprcss' gesture, who like
20 keen up han eds between nations and
will rejoice at seeing conflicts arise"
The next question read as IL X ema-
mated from the correspondents of the
neutral countries. which have been com.
planning about the private negotiations
among The big Four"-"Are small. in
formal conferences Justified behind the
bach ~ the conference2'
Yes" replied the Premier. Il con-
slider such informal conferences essen
tial 70 the congress. At the Washing
ton conference. which was a remark
able success, there were innumerable in
formal discussions between the dele
gates AT all conferences II is the same
thing such talks are desirable and con-
ducive to success"
Germans withdraw Question.
Next the German correspondents
passed UP numoer of sheets Of paper
They wanted 70 know the exact condi-
ttons under which the Russo German
treaty was arranged and signed.
Il regret these ques:ioi,s," said the
Premier, "and ! hope that the German
writers will not insist ,pou them.
viii answer II they insist, but ! think
IL prudent not to aggravate the present
situation. / have said that the treaty
was not an attempt 60 wreck the con-
ference, though the effect might have
been that. ! do not want TO engender
controversies but 10 restore harmony"
The Germans withdrew the questions
Mr.. Lloyd George affirmed that I'm HE
ftIdrfnCnt "a