Arizona republican., 1922-04-21
Tells newspaper
MEN GENOA ASSEMBLY WILL
SOL VE EUROPEAN PROBLEMS
Germany Will Either Rescind Russian Treaty
Or Be Denied Representation On Comn,is-
sions Dealing With Russ Questions; George
Says Genoa Meet Viii Adopt Agreement
IRepubIican A. p. Leased WlreI

newspaper representatives of yir-
tually all the world nations, the Brit
ish premier today, after~announcing
that the Germans would accept the
conditions imposed by the allies con-
corning the Russo German treaty
and that the soviet's reply on the
general Russian question would be
such as to permit of further hopeful
negotiations, declared his unshakable
conviction that the Genoa conference
would prove a great success. He
believed that it would restore har-
mony in Europe and was supremely
confident that before il adjourned, it
would adopt an agreement whereby
all the nations of Europe would binl
themselves not to commit acts OF
aggression against neighboring coun-
tries.
such a pact he exclaimed, "is
an essential to the favorable issue OF
this conference; without il, 1 believe,
the conference will be failure"
The premier'S decision to talk TO
the press was an outgrowth OF the
system at the Washington confer
ence. where the custom OF the Lead
ing delegates TO receive newspaper
men daily. worked so well. Remov.
ing his winter overcoat, with which
Mr.. Lloyd George seems to aveid tho
April chiIls of Genoa. he raEher
YEARLY stroked his thick white locks.
His first words gave disappointment
II came not to make a speech. but
rather to answer questions. and. SO,
clear up Misunderstanding he said.
but immediately added: "Go1 10 in
his heaven, and the confereT ee at
Genoa still lives and is going strong.
The public may be said to be divided
into two categories those
who want to see the conference slic-
eeed. and those who would like to see
il go down in defeat. But the latter
viii not see their desire CROW ncI.
We are working through our diff
culties quite successfully
Will Overcome Difficulties
The premier then made the an
nouncement that the difficulties
growing out Of the signing Of a sepa-
rate Russo German accord would be
overcome and later he made 1t clear
that he had good reason TO believe
the German delegates were preparing
to accept the suggestions laid down
in the note sent them by the allied
representatives. In it were specific
conditions that the Germans would
be expected not to sit on the conf
missions which henceforth will deal
with Russian questions. because the
Germans had already settled their
affairs with Russia outside the COIL
ference.
Il don't want to anticipate the
character of the soviet answer pro-
posals for a general accord with Rus
sia,' continued the premier, ,tbut ]
would be surprised if il were not OF
such character as to permit us tc
go on with our work of reconstruc-
ton of the convulsed and devastated
continent. The substitute commits
sion on political affairs viii meet to-
morrow to consider the soviet reply.
which is due tonight or tomorrow
The meeting of the premier and
newspaper men was then thrown
open to questions, with the under
standing that all should be submit
ted in writing. This announcement
curbed the enthusiasm Of some who
seemed prepared to submit the Brit
ish leader to grilling cross exam
ination. The first question was:
"Why does DIR. 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 pre-
mier with amazing quickness. Ger
tain1y he did not say It to me. II he
did it would have been absolutely
untrue; knew nothing about tbs
treaty until l met my colleagues on
the way to the afternoon meeting"
Mr.. Lloyd George emphasized thai
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 back OF
their colleagues, was an act Of dis
loyalty on the part of the Germans
Measures Justified
1--WE are justified in taking ener-
getic measures" declared the pre-
mier. THE thing viii have a good
effect on the conference"
The next question was: -. ....--
Does the prime minister think that
the Russo German treaty represented
a deliberate attempt TO wreck the
conferenee?"
To this Mr.. Lloyd George replied:
whatever we may think about the
accord, / dc not think 1t was nego-
tiated with the idea OF wrecking the
conference"
The German incident. he added had
not consumed useful time OF the con-
ference, which had to wait anyway
for an answer from the SOVIET QetS-
gates, and he was confident they
would get the answer in proper time
for a. discussion of the project of a
pact or a guarantee that the nations
Of Europe solemnly bind themselves
not to engage in aggressive acts
against their neighbors.
The next query awoke the prime
minister from his WEAKNESS. His
voice now was clear and resonant and
carried to every corner. while his
auditors were striving not to lose
word-"What kind of people don't
like the Genoa conference?"
"Quarrelsome people" /" he exclaimed
with an impressive gesture. who like
to keep up hatreds between nations
and who rejoice at seeing conflicts
arise"
The next question read as II it EN-
anated from the correspondents of the 4