ANTI-SOVIET PLOT.

Grey River Argus, 18 February 1927, Page 5

ANTI-SOVIET PLOT.

CENTRES IN BRITAIN. What Moscow Press Says. LONDON, February 17. The British United Press, reports that a sensation was caused at Moscow by the publication of the newspapers “Pravda” and “Zvestin’’ of documents purporting to show’ that Sir W. Joynson Hicks (British Home Minister) and other prominent British personalities are in League against the Soviets, and notably Sqblin, a former Ambassador under the Tzar and now resilient in Paris.

The ‘‘lzvestia” represents the old Tsarist diplomats in acting as the agents and the accomplices of the British “ diehards. ” The “Pravda” declares that certain groups in England are plotting against the Soviet, and enumerates individuals hnd organisations, including British bankers, and even heads of the Anglican and Catholic Churches.

This so-called exposure purports to reveal secret springs of anti-Soviet work in England. It declares that Mr W. Churchill and Lord Birkenhead support the group, who are trying to break up the Anglo-Russian relations. It is even alleged that an appeal has been made for money from Russian royalists for a campaign to clear out the “Reds.” Both the “Pravda” and the “Izvestia,” it is reported, publish photographs of documents allegedly proving their assertions. CHURCHILL’S TALK. ABOUT TRADE RUPTURE. (Received February 17 at .11 p.m.) (Times Cable.) LONDON, FebiVary 17. Mr. Winston Churchill in a speech, indicated that the Government at present has no intention of closing down the Soviet Embassy. He said the Government was not labouring under any de lusion aUout Russia. “It is sometimes asked,” he said, “what is the governIment afraid of. Nothing could be (less alarming from the Government’s

| point of view than a gesture sweeping out Russian representation. It would, iu no wise involve any test of physical or moral courage. It would give immense satisfaction throughout the country; but if w<e> do not take this course, you must credit us with having carefully considered all the aspects of the matter, with no other object than the preservation of the country s interests and the peace of the world. We are not ignorant of the provocation, but there arc other considerations which at present, cannot be swept aside as of no value. ’ ’