SOVIET RUSSIA.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1923, Page 2

SOVIET RUSSIA.

THE RUSSIAN NOTE. FURTHER PARTICULARS CABLED. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON, May Id. Til© text of the Russian reply lias been issued. It states that the bittoi and unfounded hostility of the British Government’s, memorandum was absolutely unexpected by the Soviet Government. The methods of the ultimatum and threats are not the methods by which misunderstandings between States can he solved. Russia, appreciated the fact that Britain was the first of the Great Powers to conclude an agreement, and the Government lias always taken this into account in its relations with Britain; but the trade agreement certainly did not benefit one side alone. No one denies the vast importance of the Russian raw materials appearing oil the European markets. The existing basis of the agreement was not sufficient, but the British Government always avoided

business-like discussion of the questions in dispute. The Soviet Government absolutely denies that, as alleged, numerous challenges have been deliberately thrown down by Soviet Russia to Britain. There is no foundation for such an assertion, and the Soviet Government regrets that the British Government did not find it possible to mention at least one case. On the contrary, the Soviet Government Is ready to quote not a few cases during the last few years of real challenges by Britain, such as the question of the Straits, of Eastern Galicia, Memel and Bessarabia. If Russia has not sent Notes protesting, it is because she has not lost hope of a general settlement. The Russian Government, however, possesses many documents demonstrating the energetic activity of British agents against the Soviet. Tho extracts cited by the British are a combination of invented and falsified extracts from deciphered telegrams. 1 iio Soviet does not deny that it has sent money to its representatives in Persia, hut cannot admit that the development of an amicable connection with Eastern peoples, founded on a genuine respect for their interests, is a breach of the Russo-Britisli trade agreement. If the British Government considers such a policy must be anti-British, the misunderstandings aro quite comprehensive. The execution of Harrison and the arrest of Mrs Harding took place before tho British blockade ended. and the Government is willing to compensate Harrison’s family and Mbs Harding, if the British Government expresses the same readiness in respect to Russian citizens. The Russian Government is also willing to participate in an international conference on the problems of territorial waters, and has taken steps to release the British trawlers. The Soviet Government considers it necessary, to repudiate in categorical fashion the baseless assertions that it persecuted any religion. Soviet justice only punishes ecclesiastics who abuse their position, and for political activity against tho Republic. The position of the Soviet Republic- lias not and cannot have any dependence on the will of a foreign Government, hut if those at the head of affairs in Britain recognise this fact, the most important. obstacle to normal and tranquil relations will he eliminated. The Soviet Republics place a high value cn tDo present relations with Britain, and seek to maintain and develop them. They fully recognise that a rupture of these relations would lie pregnant with new dangers, involving a threat to the world’s peace. There is no foundation for a rupture, and a satisfactory settlement could lie quickly reached hy a conference between representatives of both Slates.