RAMSAY MACDONALD, SOVIET.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18239, 25 November 1924, Page 10

RAMSAY MACDONALD, SOVIET.

TO THE EDITOR OP "THE PRESS." Sir, —A publication entitled "Russian Information and Review,?' and; dated May 31st, 1924, lies before me. Exactly what it is or how it circulates in New Zealand, is not quite clear to me; its cover bearing that it is '.'published by the Information Department of the Trade Delegation of the U.S.S.R., Beatlery Ho,use, Mason's avenue, Coleman street,. EC. 2," but ■ from' the nature of its contents it appears to be a Soviet production. The headings of various articles make strange reading* We have'TfThe Economic Restoration of the U.S.I&R." (whatever ;these letters mean) evidently portion of a speech by L: B. Krassin, "The Deruluft," conveying information concerning tile progress made by the RussoGerman Air Transport Company; "Soviet-Polish Relations," dealing with the treatment .of National Minorities in Poland; and, most interesting of all,.an article on- "Bi'itish-Soviet Relations," in' which the following statements, are worth attention"The importance of the establishment of an agreement with Great Britain lies in the fact _ that Grea Britain, as also America, is- a country , possessing large quantities of ,f free" capital, which it can' place at our disposal in. the form of'a loan,, as investment in concessions, etc." British capital is evidently wanted—a fact which occasions small surprise, but another abridged statement may convey news to riiany. After alluding to speeches: by Zinovieff and Trotsky, and the references made therein to Ramsay JVlacDonald and his policy, Rykov is reported as saying that "the Soviet Government entered into negotiations with ' MacDonaid's Government very fladly, and in doing all in its power to ring them to a favourable conclusion. The dissensions of various statesmen belonging to different parties cannot be dissipated when this or that statesman becomes a jnember or head' of any particular Government. In the present case, we are dealing with the opposition in views of the most influential members of the Second and Thirdi Internationals. The disputes , between these leaders and! these organisations cannot be ended simply because the secrety.ry of the Second International has bcome the head of.the British Government." Rykov's statement concludes by saying, "the assumption of power by the Labour Party in Britain undoubtedly facilitates the conclusion of an agreement with the Soviet Government, both in the political and economic spheres." . » It may be questioned if Mr MacDonald would l ever have been the British Prime Minister had it been generally known that he was actively identified with the Soviet movement, and many, even among the _ workers, will not be sorry that a Soviet official no longer occupies that distinguished position. This note may lead to some comments on .the foregoing.—Yours, 6tC '' TIYSIDE. November 22nd, 1924. ,