INTERNAL RUSSIA.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 July 1921, Page 3

INTERNAL RUSSIA.

RUSSIA LEFT OFT

atjsthalun and n.z. cable association

LONDON, Lily 21

The Russian Foreign Minister, M ■ Tolutcherin,, has communicated with the Powers, protesting against thenomission to invite the Soviet Govern--I,oont to send any delegates to the •Washington Disarmament ei.d Pacific Conference. He complains that although the rights of Russia ,as a Pacific Power, are duly recognised, the powers propose to wait until Russia finds herself under what they term n norma] Government before consulting her. Whatever decisions, he adds, that are reached at the Washington Conference, in the absence of Rnssau representatives, will be regarded, as null and void by Russia.

FAMINE IN RUSSIA

UONDON, Jul.v 21

Regarding Russia. “The Times” in n leading article, sounds a note warning. It says: “In this dire calamity of the famine in Russia we see a possSbi-lty (of gjrave political complications, which are especially significant in view of the Silosan proto ]em.” ‘"The Times” questions whether the Bolshevik leaders will be able to 'retain control of a population driven to desperation by hunger. Neighbouring States are anxiously watching the events.

Representatives of Poland, Batavia, Finland and Estonia (it says) are at present meeting at Helsingfors to determine a common policy for dealing; with Soviet Russia. Tt says that with dissensions among Soviet leaders here, and revolting there, while't o starving of families is under mining all coherency of policy, it is impossible to calculate what sudden move the Bolsheviks may make in their dire extremity. Viewed thus, it says, the Silesian question is linked w>'th sinister possibilities. Never was it more necessary than now that the Entente should demonstrate its whole-hearted unity.

RUSISTAN /DANGER

LONDON, July 22

“The Times” says: Tens of millions of people are threatened with starvation in Russia, owing to a drought and the failure of crops in the southeast, which are the most fertile Russian regions. In many areas devastation has been completed by swarms of locusts. The Press does not disguise that there are appalling conditions. It is, stated that the peasants, having no hope of obtaining seed, were not preparing for an autumn sowing when a. famine became a certainty.

The population was then seized with panic. Whole provinces got on the move, hordes moving in all directions and not knowing where they were go. ing. They have been received with hostility everywhere, and numerous conflicts are Occurring. The failure of the crops threaten a complete stoppage of industry.

‘‘The Times” states the Moscow newspaper “Pravadla 7 ’ admits that the country is faced by a catastrophe owing to the closing down of coal pits and oil fields, affecting'' other branches of centralised and nationalised indxuttry. The whole economic system of the Bolshevik regime is in danger nf complete collapse,