RUSSIAN BULLION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 211, 1 June 1920, Page 5

RUSSIAN BULLION

SHOULD BRITAIN ACCEPT IT IN TRADE? SOVIET'S RIGHT TO GOLD QUESTIONED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, May 30. It is explained on behalf of M. Krassin that the Russian delegation is ready to pay gold for imports. The question is raised to whom the gold belongs. It is recalled that when Sweden recently rejected the Soviets' trading overtures, and the Leninites guaranteed ,£5,500,000 sterling in gold, the French Press pointed out that the gold belonged to tho Allies. The "Times" states that it is informed that the gold is mostly in ingots, bearing the stamp of the old Russian Empire, and asks: "Can any civilised Government recognise Lenin's right to liberate the gold, ignoring tho claims of. Russia's English, French, and other creditors. Our acceptanco of the money would acknowledge the Soviet's right to it, and inferontmlly acknowledge the legitimacy of tho Government itself. We have reason to believe that tho main object of M. Krasstn's mission is to obtain a general license to export such gold to England, to sell in the open market." The "Times" describes as puerile and false the statement that Krassin represents Russian co-operative bodies, since Moscow advices admit that the Soviet has absorbed tho co-operativo bodies. The "Times" declares that Lord Curzon and Mr. Bonar Law will recognise their own complicity as members of Cabinet if they permit Mr. Lloyd George to shake hands with tho representative of a bloodstained despot.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

Parle, May 30. , The "Temps" UTges that the acceptance such gold would amount to a conditoin 'of' robbery and fraud.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. DISSIPATION OF STATE TREASURE CRYING SCANDAL IN FAR EAST. (Rec. June 1, 1.5 a.m.) Peking, May 30. ■ The dissipation of the Russian State treasure is a crying scandal in the Far Kast. General Semenoff commandeered two thousand pounds weight en route to the coast, and squandered millions on loose women, the latter passing through Chinese territory with boxes full of gold. The Customs held up 315,000 gold roubles.—"The Times."