VICIOUS LIBEL ON BRITISH TRADE DELEGATION

Chronicle (Levin), 4 August 1947, Page 3

VICIOUS LIBEL ON BRITISH TRADE DELEGATION

Roceivcd Sundav. 9.30 p.m. LONDON. Aug. 2. Tlie allegutions in a Moscow iievvspaper against mciuberH of tlie British irade delegation vvlii eh recently visited IvUKsia were answered by Mr. iiarold Wilson, wlio Icd tlie delegation, in a slatement to rau Dailv Express today. The newspaper, Tlie Moscow Bolslievik, said: "Having enjoyed tliemselvcs on the beacli (at Ivhebnikovo 011 tlie Moseow-Volga Canal) the gentle-l nien of the delegation proceeded to Lake Krugvvc. The- unusual sight of people attractod collective farm clill1 dren who were aniazed to see tliese adults performing most straugo pirouettes. ' ' . Alr. Wilson said: "The pirouettes wero just a ganie of cricket. ' ' Tlie Bolslievjk's account continued: "The gentlemen bcgan to lure tlie children by ofCering them swects. Tru.sti.ng tlie sineerit vv of tlie invitatioh thc children extended their haiids for sweets and the British' th'rew the remaius of their food at the children 's i'eet and began taking photographs. "For wliat purpose did tliese gentlomen need Lliis disgraceful and indeceut humiliution of the children l Certaiuly not fco Ihe sakt of achieving mutual understanding and respect. " Alr. Wilson said: "The Kussian children eame up to walch tlie cricket and wlicn we sottled down to eat tliev begged for food. jS'alurally we could not refuse them. One of the party did take a photograpli. It secmed the natural thiiig to do. " The Bolshevik also quoted a document drawn up by the employees of a JSloscow hotel: "At midnight un Julv (i a group of drunken members of the delegation returned from a restaurant to the holel rooms. One member of the group broko a glass door and glass splinters injured'a hotel employee wlio had to receivc lirst aid. " Mr. Wilson said: "One of thc delegation slipped against a window and -iplintered the pane. II o was not drunk. One of the .splinters liit a hotel employee on tlie head eansing a minor seratch. We gave hiui a packet of cigarettcs next day and he was more thau satislied. We were probably the only sober people in the hotel that night. ' '