RUSSIA.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16857, 10 June 1920, Page 7

RUSSIA.

POLISH CAMPAIGN. CBy Cable—Pre«a A<wociation. —Copyright.) (ReutcrS Telegram*.) "WARSAW, June 8. A communique states :—Between the Dvina and the Beresina our counteroffensive is developing satisfactorily. The Bolsheviks are retreating in disorder, leaving a considerable number of prisoners and much material. Desertions from the Bolshevik forces are increasing. Bolshevik attacks on the bridgeheads at Kicff were repulsed with heavy loss. (Auetralian and 3NT.Z. Cable -leaociation.) (Received Juno 9th, 8.15 p.m.) LONDON, June 8. A Polish communique reports that the Bolshevik retreat between the Dvina and the Beresina has now become a lout. The Poles have broken the enemy's resistance on the Upper Beresina. THE LONDON CONTEEENCE. , ("The Times.") LONDON, June 8. Tiie Government is completing postal arrangements with Russia, through Krassin. The French Government opposes this, considering it to be a recognition of the Soviot Government. BOLSHEVIK PITTANCE. LONDON, May 31. According to the Bolshevik oflieial journal the estimated deficit for 1920 on iho operations of nationalised industries -is £2,370,Q0Q,000, including £565,000,000 for salaries and organisation, £1,439,300,000 lost as a result of the production cost exceeding sales, and £121,000,000 expended on political measures to quieten the workers, consisting chiefly of the stationing of gendarmes in * turbulent factories.

TRADE NEGOTIATIONS. ME LLOYD GEORGE STATES THE PACTS. (Renter's Telegrams.) (Iteccived June 9th, 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 7. In tlie House of Commons, Colonei J. Gretton (Co. Unionist), moving the adjournment, asked- the meaning of the negotiations with Krassin. He said tin; llussian Government had a tainted record of violence and murder. Russia had not anything with which to trade to Britain. Ho ridiculed the stories of Russian granaries bursting with grain. Moreover, he asserted, the sum of £6-5,000,000, which, it 'was suggested, Russia hold for payment for imports, was largely stolen gold belonging to one or other of the Allies. Sir Samuel Homo (Co. Unionist) condemned the attacks upon the Premier. He declared the latter had two fundamental interests at heart —the need for goods and peace. Is evertheiess, there would he an impression here, and in France, that if we accepted Russian gold we would be acting as leoeivers of stolen goods. i Mr Lloyd George, replying, said tlis decision to trade with Russia was i taken in Paris with M. Clemenceau in the chair. All the Allies were represented on that occasion. They caine to the unanimous decision that it was desirable to open trade relations with Russia. He declared that the Allies acted in this matter upon evidence from anti-Bolsheviks who had been driven, out of Russia, but were associated with the co-operative movement. Subsequently the San Remo Conference adopted a resolution declaring the readiness of the Allies to discuss with Krassin the best methods of resumption of trade. Upon this decision negotiations wore now proceeding with Krassin, with the assent of all the Allies. Regarding available stocks in Russia, the Premier stated that the Poles had confessed that there were considerable quantities of wheat for export in the Ukraine and Siberia. Mr Lloyd George said he had no doubt there were essential commodities in Russia. He ridiculed the argument that we could not trade with Russia because we disapproved of its Govern--1 ment or on account of atrocities. It was a new doctrine that people must approve of the habits and customs of another people before they could trade with the latter. To urge such a view i now was gross folly. They had to consider the whole situation. It appalled ) him to think of what might happen un- ! less they succeeded in restoring the | world. " The alternative policy was to | say they would kill Bolshevism, because jit was an evil thing. That meant put- : ting their strength and manhood into it. It would mean the loss of hundreds of thousands of men, and an addition of thousands of millions to the National Debt. Ho- asked: "Are you prepared to do that?"