Evening star., 1922-04-21
PARLEY WILL SUCCEED.
LLOYD GEORGE SAYS

expected not to sit on the commits
sions which henceforth will deal with
Russian questions, because the Ger
mans had already settled their affairs
with Russia outside the conference.
The meeting Of the premier and
to questions. with the understanding
that all should be submitted in writing.
This announcement curbed the enthu-
siasm of some, who seemed prepared
to submit the British leader to grill
ing cross-examination. The first ques-
tion was:
why does DR.. Rathenau say you
, knew all about the Russo-German
treaty in advance?"
II don't know whether Rathenau
said that or not" came back the pre-
mier with amazing quickness. Ger
did, it would be absolutely untrue.
would know nothing about the treaty
until I met my colleagues on the way
to the afternoon meeting"
All on Equal Footing.
Mr.. Lloyd George emphasizes that
everybody was on an equal footing at
Genoa, and that the Germans had a
place on all the commissions which
were to discuss the accord affecting
Russia and all nations. To make a
separate pact behind the backs of their
colleagues was an act of disloyalty on
the part of the Germans.
I'VE were justified in taking ener-
getic measures" declared the premier.
"The thing will have a good effect
on the conference"
The next question was: Does the
prime minister think that the Russo
German treaty represented deliberate
attempt to wreck the conference?"
To this Mr.. Lloyd George replied:
'Whatever we may think about the ac-
cord I =
with the idea of wrecking the confer
ence."
The next question awoke the premier
from his weariness.~ His voice now was
clear and resonant and carried to every
corner, where his auditors were striv-
ing not to lose word-"What kind of
| people don't like the Genoa conference?"
! "Quarelsome people" he exclaimed
with an impressive gesture, "who like
| to keep up hatreds between nations and
who rejoice at seeing conflicts arise
auestiOns From Germans.
The next question read as if it 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
back of the conference"
YES" replied the premier. II con-
slider such informal conferences essen
! tial to the congress. At the Washing
ton conference, which was remarka BILE
success. there were innumerable infor-
NAL conferences between the delegate
At all conferences it is the same thing.
Such talks are desirable and conducive
to success"
Next, the German correspondents
passed up number of sheets of paper;
! they wanted to know the exact condi-
| tionS under which the dsso-German n
treaty was arranged and signed.
Il regret these questions" said the
premier. "and ] hope the German
writers will not insist upon them. I
will answer IL they insist, but I think
| it prudent not to aggravate the pres
ent situation. I have said that the
treaty was not an attempt to wreck
| the conference. though the effect
might have been that. I do not want
to engender controversies. but to re-
store harmony"
Questions withdrawn.
The Germans withdrew the ques-
tions. Mr.. Lloyd George affirmed
that in his judgment the work begun
at Genoa would be taken up and
pushed forward by the league ofsna-
tions. Asked If Germany and Russia
should be members of the league, he
! replied instantly: Yes. The league
til all nations are members. With
Russia and Germany absent more
than half thef population of Europe
is without representation"
do you believe in an absolutely
favorable issue of this conference"
was the next question.
Il do. I was confident before I
came here and my confidence has
grown despite all the difficulties
which have arisen. / never saw a
conference without difficulties. And
the more important the conference
the greater the difficulties.
II have no hesitation in saying that
this conference will end in complete
restoration Of harmony in Europe. 1t
is the first time we have called all
Europe together. I have a profound
faith and conviction that it will end
in the reconstruction of Europe"
The British prime minister had a
great ovation as he walked out of
the palace between lines Of guards
men. His final words were: when
you have other questions let me