Genoa Conference

England, seeking a way out of the crisis, had to return Russia as a buyer on the world market. The Genoa Conference provided such an opportunity. The British Prime Minister Lloyd George agreed to convene a conference, along with Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary and Austria, representatives of Russia were invited.

However, such a decision caused sharp protests in reactionary circles in France. The hostile attitude towards the new, Soviet Russia, and the fear of the restoration of Germany also affected. Briard's office was forced to fall. Poincare received the post of prime minister. Unable to oppose the planned conference openly (consent to convene was already given), he decided to postpone the date, looking for the possibility of a final breakdown of the congress.

A memorandum was sent to London with a statement about the possibility of France's participation only if Russia accepts all the conditions of the Cannes resolution and excludes changes in treaties with Germany and the rest of the defeated countries. Russia had to recognize all previous debts, establish privileges for foreigners entering and allow foreign capitalists to conduct free activity on their territory. Actually, it was about entering the regime of surrender in Russia ("the desert created by the Soviets").

Diplomatic maneuver was successful. The reactionary circles of Britain, who feared independent negotiations between Russia and France, were given consent. The decision was influenced by the desire for an early settlement of the situation in the Middle East: the Greeks backed by England were clearly defeated.

The conference in Boulogne, held on February 25, 1922, finally determined: the Genoa conference is postponed. Meanwhile, an expert meeting is convened in London to discuss technical, economic and political issues. This was the beginning of the creation of a united front of Britain and France against the Soviets.

But French diplomacy did not want to dwell on concessions to England. Its next goal was the creation of an anti-Soviet front in the Baltic countries. And on March 17, another contract is signed between Estonia, Latvia, Poland and Finland. Its essence consisted in the obligation not to conclude treaties that could be directed against one of the signatory countries, and in alerting the Allies to conclude treaties with the other states (up to the submission of the text of these treaties). Of course, it was again Russia.

But France and this was not enough. How could the Genoa Conference take place before the Malaya Entente joined the anti-Soviet bloc?

In Belgrade, another preliminary meeting is scheduled, after which the Minister of Czechoslovakia Benish visits first Paris, followed by London, reporting on the recognition of Poincare's proposal that the conference in Genoa does not discuss reparation issues and peace treaties, and also excludes the recognition of the Soviet government. However, Belgrade supports Lloyd George's desire to restore trade relations with Russia, recommending refraining from aggressive attacks. As a result of long discussions, agreement was reached.

The Genoa Conference was finally appointed on April 10 and lasted until May 19 in the presence of representatives of 29 countries: the South African Union, New Zealand, India, Austria, Canada, Estonia, Japan, Switzerland, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, Finland, France, the Kingdom of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs, Romania, Portugal, Poland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Italy, Iceland, Spain, Greece, Germany, Denmark, Hungary, Albania, Bulgaria, Britain, Austria and the RSFSR (whose work was led by Lenin With Deputy Chi Yerin). The US refused to participate.

But the conference in Genoa went completely different than it was expected "beyond" the diplomatic front. The Soviet side stated that it recognizes economic cooperation, but will not change the principles of communism. Russia took note and in principle recognized the Cannes resolution, but wishes to retain the right to amend the exchange for the provision of the richest concessions to foreign capitalists, while also pointing out the impossibility of restoring the economy in conditions of a threatened war. The unexpected proposal on disarmament from the Soviet side caused confusion.

Bartu openly expressed disagreement. Other representatives, seemingly approving the idea, were afraid to speak out openly. France was isolated.

Long disputes and rather precarious situation forced the German delegation to hesitate. Fearing the possibility of an agreement between Russia and the Entente, Germany decided to sign the Rappahl Treaty, which severed the economic blockade around Russia. The Entente reacted with such violent discontent that the German delegation began to beg Russia to return the signed agreement, but, naturally, was refused.

Moreover, on the part of the Soviets, a declaration was received on recognizing pre-war debts in exchange for the cancellation of military (and interest) debts and rendering Russia financial assistance.

During the discussions of the Soviet proposals, a backstage struggle is unfolding between the warring oil monopolies - the American and the Anglo-Dutch, which results in a memorandum demanding the cessation of anti-capitalist propaganda from Russia (anti-Soviet propaganda was hushed up); Preservation of neutrality in the Greek-Turkish conflict; Recognition of all but debts, military; Compensation of losses after confiscation.

Belgium and France found the conditions of the memorandum unacceptably soft and refused to sign.

The Soviet side responded to the memorandum only a few days later, stating that the unilateral refusal of propaganda does not suit her. In addition, Russia recalled its proposal to invite a representative of Turkey to the conference, which could affect the situation in Asia. As for debts and restitution, the Russian side remained there. Moreover, a proposal was made to establish a mixed commission, which would allow resolving disputable issues.

The Genoa Conference of 1922 was close to disruption because of the intransigence of the Entente. Lloyd George, fearing the accusation of disrupting the conference, seized the last paragraph of the Soviet memorandum and suggested that he appoint a commission that would consider the disagreements that had arisen. The approximate time for the collection of the two commissions (from the Russian and non-Russian side) was June 1922. Until that time it was suggested to refrain from all aggressive attacks and acts. On the adoption of this decision, the Genoa Conference ended.