RUSSIAN MIX-UP.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 September 1920, Page 2

RUSSIAN MIX-UP.

(By Electric Telegraph—Co

SOVIET TRADING ENTERPRISE. LONDON, Sept. 15. The London “Evening Standard”' says M. Krassin purchased in Yorkshire one million sterling’s yorth of worsted cloth for Russia. M. Krassin has also formed an “All Russian” Cooperative Company and a Russian corporation in London, which are in close touch with M. Litvinoff’s Soviet Agency in Copenhagen.

A WHITE PAPER

CRITICISM OF SOVIET. LONDON, Sept. 15. Further light is thrown on the question of the realisation of the Russian Crown jewels in England. A statement is published from Downing Street contradicting several assertions made by M. Kameneff, the Russian Government Envoy. The British Government says it has evidence that M. Kameneff was actively concerned in the realisation of the jewels, and that he informed the Soviet that £40,000 worth of * jewels were sold, the proceeds being handed to the London “Daily Herald.” It is alleged Kameneff furthermore reported that he had taken steps to procure" a further £60,000 partly from the jewels, whereof £IO,OOO would be paid to the “Daily Herald.” The British Government says Kameneff denied he had offered the “Daily Herald” a subsidy, and the latter denied it had received one. The Government asserts it has evidence flatly contradicting both statements. Luiitmumg its ornciai vVnite Paper, uie raigiisn cabinet makes further re- • lercnces to ti.e Labour paper “Daily rieraiu's” query to its supporters as to whether tne soviet otters of aid ■mould be accepted. The'Cabihet ■ refers to the “Daily Herald’s” denials on the subject of \ subsidy. It alleges it has evidence that Mr Edgar Ljmsoury, tne sub-editor, had received part of some notes given for Russian jewels at a time when the “Herald” encouraged an affirmative reply to its question: “Shall we take the proffered £ id,ooo of Russian money.” The Government says it permits itself to doubt whether the “Daily Herald” would have taken the public into its confidence in this connection, but for the fact that it was aware that Mr Edgar Lansbury had been invited by the police (acting to the Cabinet) to explain how he came to possess some «notes. These it says, formed part of the price realised for the sale of certain jewels. The Government goes on with its statement by proceeding to point out that M. Kameneff has made no attempt

to deny that he altered the Russian terms used in a despatch from the Soviet containing Polish armistice conditions to the effect that they would insist on arming Polish workers under control of representatives of the Trade Unions of Russia, Poland and Norway. '•

The British Government asserts M. Kameneff concealed the Soviet’s jnten-; tions under tlie apparently harmless phrase of a “civil militia.” i.. The papers assert that a remarkable feature of the Cabinet’s statement is its revelation of the excellence of. the Govern ment’s investigating agencies. The spies enabled the Cabinet to keep closely informed as to the whereabouts of the Russian jewels, as tp whom they were sold, as to how particular . ipjfeg were given in payipent, these being traced through various hands; and also as to secret contents of the Soviet Goy- ; eminent’s message to its delegating jg England, •

RUSSIAN PURCHASES. (Received This Day at B.4Q‘ a.pi.)

LONDON, Sept, 16,

Although commercial negotiations with the British Government ayp temporarily suspended, ICrashin reports he has purchased an. enormous quantity pf cloth valued at a million sterling through three. Yorkshire firms, for the Russian people who at present are mostly clothed in rags. According to a firm of jewellers, who purchased the alleged Russian Crown jewels which were sold to provide funds for the proposed “Daily Herald” subsidy, they are not Crown jewels. The firni states it bought them in the ordinary course of business, quite unaware of the origin. The price was nearly £30,000. The jewels were of poor quality, with had markings and in a dirty condition. The stones proved to he not imperial jewels, but more likely belonged to a middle class family. Two of the biggest stones were yellow Cape diamonds,

A RED COUIJ. (Received This Day at 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 16.

Red array propagandists carried out their first coup in London, hut it was not of a very awe inspiring character. Several hundred meij a leader who prpplaimed hjm§elf (| Bpjs]]gy{ii, forcibly entered, tup Labour Exchange at Harlesden, carying a portable plat: form and began to hold a meeting. The police were promptly summoned and ejected the invaders who did not resist. The leader called out to Jiis followers, whom he addressed as Red array to ‘‘form fours” and marched them off to the Bolshevik headquarters.

SOVIET APPEAL. f LONDON, Sept. 15. A Soviet wireless message from Moscow reports that the Bolshevik leaders are appealing to General Wrangel’s hostile forces to lay down their arms in order to revive toiling Russia. The appeal urges them, “in the name of everything that is honest in the lesion people, tp refiise bo play the crjmjna] role of Polish landlords apd French usurpers.'’. A full amnesty is offered to all ajly thonise]vp§ w jjh (he govjef pqweiV *