BRITISH PAPER CHARGED

Hokitika Guardian, 23 August 1920, Page 1

BRITISH PAPER CHARGED

AND ITS REPLY

( AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION]

LONDON, August 20,

The “Daily Herald,” in a detailed reply to the Admiralty’s compilation declares that no money or newsprint was ever received from the Bolsheviks or from any other Government. Tho “Herald” publishes the list of its newsprint contracts for the past nine months, ana also of its shareholders, and debenture holders. The “Herald” suggests that the decoding done by the Admiralty is in places either erroneous or else perversive. The paper complains editorially that tho Admiralty, while supplying other newspapers, did not supply the “Daily Herald” with a copy of the messages, thus handicapping it. The paper suggests the Government lias deiberately waited until Parliament rose before circulating their messages. Its object lias been to prejudice Labour’s Council of Action, and to assist the pro-war party. Mr Lansbury says:—The Bolsheviks never offered him a money subsidy. LONDON, August 20.

On the authority of what they call a “reliablo correspondent,” some newspapers publish a scries of wireless messages alleged to have passed between M. Tchicberin, (Bolshevik Foreign Minister at Moscow), and M. Litvinoff, (formerly Bolshevik representative in London, until expelled). Mr Litvinofi when thto messages passed, was the Bolshevik repreentative at Stockholm. Tlie majority of messages passed, it is , said, when Mr Lansbury (editor of the ‘‘Daily Herald”) was travelling in Russia in January, February and March of this year. The messages were intercepted by stations in several European countries. The first message from M. Tchitcherin, to Litvinoff, on the 11th of February says: “Mr Lansbury is particunlrly anxious to obtain help in paper,” and Mr Lansbury speaks o! (?) sum which he will repay in time.’ The message said his losses amounted to a tinman d weekly, ahd were increasing. A second message from M. Tchitcherin to M. Litvinoff, on the 23rd of February stated: “Mr Lansbury does not wish to depend upon us financi ally, but wishes commercial relations. Therefore he wishes to pay a small commission for the credit we are opening for 'him or purchasing paper. Chiu esc bonds will bo sent to Iteval.” A third message from M. Tchitcherin to Litvinoff on the 291 h February says: “Mr Lansbury will consult you regarding details of publication in England. Point out who will give him orders and regulate the number of copies. Then how much money must he sent to pay for Lansbury’s orders. "We will continue to pay for the paper until tne whole five hundred tons is paid for. He (?) Lansbury, will pay a small sum os commission. ’“A fourth message from Tchitcherin to Litvinoff on 29th February asks:—“How much money do vou consider we ought to give the "Herald?” Mr Lansbury seems particularly anxious to obtain paper. Worn! it lm cheaper to buy paper for him m Sweden, instead of making him a present of money?” A fifth message, from Litvinoff to Tchitcherin on tlj3rd of March relates to proceedings of the Bolshevik delegation which sought to discuss a resumption of trade relations. M. Litvinoff says he inspired a message to the ‘Daily Herald,’ adding _--A firm tone with the Allies is essential from the beginning.” The foregoing messages' are those passing during Mr Lansbury s st.*y Russia. The following messages passed late. It is pointed out Mr Francis Mevneb, a member of the “Daily Hera d s a > obtained a passport to Denmark am Scandinavia on JVLay 15tl>.