SOVIET RUSSIA.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 May 1923, Page 3

SOVIET RUSSIA.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. RUSSIA’S REPLY. TO BRITISH NOTE. 'Received this day at 8 a.in.) LONDON. -May 12. 'The “.Sunday Express” Moscow correspondent s'avs the reply to the British Note was handed to Mr Hodgson on Saturday and was cabled to London. The document is of three thousand words, and declares "bile the Soviet cannot agree to Britain s peremptory terms, the points in dispute arc capable of a settlement by negotiation. Tchitcherin ill a speech, said Russia’s design was to avoid a rupture of relations. Trotsky declared none must, say a word to hamper the negotiations.' “If war comes, the Red Army is ready.” Krassin before his departure bv aeroplane for London, suit! the fiist object of the journey was to begin negotiations. “The situation is indeed serious in view of the imperative nature of the British tone, hut T have not yet lost hope.” Crowds are parading Moscow streets, singing revolutionary songs and carrying banners bearing the inscription, “Down -with Lord Curzon.” In front of the British mission buildings, tho effigy of Lord Curzon was displayed on a gallows. A strong force of Red cavalry presently arrived to guard the mission. The newspapers make a sensational display of the news that a British gunboat is on the way to Russian waters. RUSSIAN TRADE. LONDON, May 12 The Russian Trade Delegation reports the Soviet Government has signed an agreement with the American Exchange Corporation for transaction of import and export operations in Russia, the Russian trade department receiving half the profits.