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BRITAIN'S POLICY IN RUSSIA

DEBATE IN HOUSE OF COMMONS

OUR OBLIGATIONS DISCHARGED

STATEMENT BY MR. LLOYD

GEORGE

By Telegraph—Preea Association—Copyright

(Rec. November 19, 8.15 p.m.)

London, November 17.

In the Honso of Commons, Lord Robert Cecil said that Bolshevism had been a -egimo of atrocious cold-blooded murder and outrage, and one of tlio most brutal and bloodiest despotisms that had ever stained history. Armed foreign intervention was absolutely impossible. Ho hoped that Denikin and Kotchak would abandon the Moscow expedition and reorganise tlio _ territories Already occupied, establishing a stable Government. This would speedily have an overwhelming moral effect. upon tlioir Bolshevik neighbours. Lord Cecil urgod tlio Government to be absolutely clear and definite, displaying no ambiguity or vacillation. ,

Mr. Arthur Henderson re-stated Labour's position, emphasising its opposition .to intervention in Russia, and declared that the Allies' policy bad strengthened reactionary effort'. TTo appealed to tho Government to withdraw its material Bunport from Kolchak and Denikin.

Colonel John Ward (recently returned from Russia), pointed out that the question of intervention or non-intervention did not, affect Britain alone. He snid that Kolcliak wan a democrat. Britain went to Russia for her own purposes, and thereby saved the lives of perhaps hundreds of thousands of her own men. "Our pole aim in going to Pussia was to 6avo our men, and we made promises. Accordingly, therefore, woought not now to renudiato them."

Air. A. .T. Balfour commented upon the remarkably small differences revealed aa regards Russia. None had suggested a clear-cut. policy, although the Government was criticised for not possessing one.

Mr. Lloyd George in Reply, Replying, Mr. Lloyd George said that he was glad the debate had shown thai all wcro agreed as regards the horror of both tho practico and principle of Bolshevism. It was undemocratic and did not represent freedom. Ho emphasised this by quoting from the Bolshevik proclamation, stilting: "We have rinsed the standard of discipline in the nrn<v, anc\ must now raise tho standard of LaWwr discipline." This proved that tho Bolshevik notion of freedom for the working classes _ was _ compulsory labour. The Prime Minister defended his description of Mr. Bullitt's disclosures as "a tissue of lies." It was an obligation of honour to heln the men who assisted to reconstruct tho Eastern front, airninst Germany. Wo had truly discharged that obligation, but thero were others of the Allies, who wero in a hotter position to support Kolchak than ourselves. and any failure there had been did not lie at our door. We had helped Tlenikin. and our policy was successful. The regions nf the Bon and the Ukraine were anti-Bolshevik, but it was clear that whenever 1 armies marched into Central Pussia bevond a certain point they failed, though none could say what Central Russia wanted. Britain, however, could not finance a civil war in Russia indefinitely. Our first concern was for our own country, wlicr- the shortest road to Bolshevism was financial bankruptcy. Britain had contributed more than any other country to the nnti-Bolslieviks. She had* contributed more than France, Japan and Aineric.\ combined. TIo boasted of our action in this connection, because it was to mo-et an obligation of honour. France and Britain had come to a similar view, namely, that the Government could not burden the taxpayer further. In respect to the operations in Bussia, among (he liresent difficulties was the fact that Kolchak and tlenikin worn fighting for a reunited Russia, whereas Estlwnia, Latvia end Lithuania were fighting for independence; whil? other great anti-Bolshevik forces were fMitini? for local independent nntionalitv. Therefore it was most difficult to lay down a policy. He minted out that those favouring intervention in Russia opposed intervention in Armenia and vice versaMr. Lloyd George added further that the Germans were still in the Baltic provinces. They must lw> cleared out, otherwise tho peace of Europe would be unsafe. Asked who advocated tho terrible responsibility of restoring order in a country which was a continent in which every nation and every army which had interested itself hitherto had harvested disaster, he said he refused responsibility. (Cheers.)—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.Reuter.

YUDENITCH'S FAILURE END OF A VAINGLORIOUS EFFORT. Helsingfors, November 17. Yudenitch lias. evacuated Yambnrg. lie has informed his, troops that they must fkht to the death, as the Esthoninns will refuse to allow them to retreat through their territory.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Holsinpfors, November 16. Yudenitch handed over his command to the Esthonian General Laidoiior, in order to prevent the internment of his troops as thov crossed the Esthonian frontier but tho Esthonians are' disnrminif and interning all.—"The Times." Copenhanen, November 17. Denikin has ordered the evacuation of Ivieff, which tho Bnlshoviki and Ukniinian rebels are threatening.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

BALTIC DEFENSIVE ALLIANCE URGED. London, November 18. The Allies are seeking to oragnieo a defensive alliance between the Finns, Poles, White Russians. Esthonians, Letts, Lithuanians and Ukrainians.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BBRMONDrS ARMY BEING BROKEN UP. London, November IS. Bermondt's nrmv in tho Baltic, provinces is being dissolved. —Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. Berlin, November IG. Bormondt has placed himself and his entire armv under the command of General von Eberhardt. who is endeavouring to secure the orderly return o f the exImporial troops to Germany—Reuter. DISTURBANCES AT VLADIVOSTOK. Washington, November 18. The State Department reports that the revolutionary disturbances at Vladivostok were confined to tho Russians — Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. SOVIET BID FOITAMERICAN SUPPLIES New York, November 111. A commercial attacho named Heller, representing tho self-sh'led Soviet Embassy. has announced that he has been negotiating with largo wickers and manufacturers to induce them to urge the Government to recognise tho Soviet Government, and nermit the exportation of foodstuffs and manufactures to Russia.. He said the Soviet was aWe to send 200 million dollars in gold to the United State* ?n ordor to secure its credits. Un. less Hie United State took ndvnntnfm of its Russian trade opportunities, he "said, Jatvan and fievmanv 'would secure tlicm. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19191120.2.57

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 48, 20 November 1919, Page 7

Word count
Tapeke kupu
981

BRITAIN'S POLICY IN RUSSIA Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 48, 20 November 1919, Page 7

BRITAIN'S POLICY IN RUSSIA Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 48, 20 November 1919, Page 7

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