SOVIET RUSSIA.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1923, Page 2

SOVIET RUSSIA.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. DEBATE ON RUSSIA. LONDON, May 15. In Committee of Supply on the Foreign Office vote, Mr MacDonald initiated a debate on the Note to Russia. Krassin occupied a seat in tho distinguished strangers’ gallery. Mr Macdonald said that in view of tho Soviet’s reply the Government ought to make an immediate statement as to their future policy towards Russia. Ho hoped the Government would not be pursuing the old defeated policy of tho Coalition Government, of opposition to Russia merely because it did not agree with Russian political opinions. It was time we accepted Russia as a fact, without associating ourselves with Russian actions... Many of our grievances against her would never have arisen if we had recognised her diplomacy. Mr MacDonald said he agreed that if some ol the charges made by the British against the Russian Government were proved, we were fully entitled to protest, but many of the charges had been found untrue. This country could not afford to take action unless certain that- its position was unassailable. Hint meant a Conference and the Government should say they were prepared to go into tho whole matter with Russia because wo wanted to settle tlie qtie 3 tion onco and for. all. Ho urged Government to use the Soviet reply as a lease of negotiations. The question of religious persecution required examination.

DISCUSSION IN COMMONS. LONDON, May 15. Mr Ramsay Macdonald said he did not altogether accept the Soviet’s statement that their action was taken in the form of political punishment and not as religious persecution, hut in the time of revolution these two things were often mixed up. The mere tearing up of the trade agreement would smooth the way for lurtlier development to keep the door open for more sympathetic relations between tho two countries. If the agreement was revoked a state of incipient war would he created. Mr R. McNeil, Under Sec. Foreign Affairs, replying, deprecated all talk about the possibility of war. The whole matter had been taken out of its proper perspective. Mr McNeil said that everyone desired to preserve harmonious relations with all foreign nations, including Russia. The British people would not easily forget the Russians’ heroic sacrifices in the Avar. r l ho Government was not proposing to tear up the Trade Agreement, hut its object was to see that its provisions were observed. 1 lie sole question was whether, under tlie circumstances which had now arisen, this agreement was one that could be continued by one party when the other party persistently violated it. (Cheers), in any case the most expert business opinion strongly held the view that a termination of the agreement would not harmfully affect our trade. The fact was that the Russians had never observed the agreement. The stoppage of propaganda was an essential part of the agreement and although, as a result of notes of complaints, the propaganda slackened but it had never stopped. In a great majority of cases tho propaganda complained of was derived from wireless messages and they were only a small section out of the vast amount of evidence in the Government’s possession, showing that the propaganda was persistently carried on u]> to tlie present. Tlie Government acted with extraordinary patience in the matter. There were no less than 116 cases of British subjects wrongfully imprisoned by ilie Russian Government. One person (Page) during eight months, was in twenty-nine different prisons. Some of these people died owing to prison privation. Despite the British Note the Soviet Government refused to meet these cases. \\ itlp regard to travellers some satisfaction was offered but no suggestion of compensation. Tlie Government could not accept tlie position that an invasion of our rights could he met hv Jin international conference. Altogether the reply was entirely unsatisfactory and it contained no sort of an assurance for the future. The British Government had negotiated until it was sick of negotiations. It was ready to discuss matters with M. Krassin hut would not be satisfied with anything less than a compliance with their demands. (Cheers).

The Trade Agreement between Great Britain and Soviet Russia was signed on March Kith, 1921, by Sir Robert Horne, then President of the Board of Trade, on behalf of the British Government, and Mr L. Krassin, on behalf of Russia. The agreement which sots out that it is desirable in the interests of both countries that "peaceful trade and commerce should he resumed forthwith” is subject to the following conditions :

That each party refrains from hostile actions or undertakings against the other, and from conducting outside of its own borders any official propaganda, direct or indirect, against the institutions of the British Empire and the Russian Soviet Republic respectively, and more particularly that the Russian Soviet Government refrains from ally attempt, by military or diplomatic or any other "form of action or propaganda, to encourage any of the peoples of Asia in any form of hostile action against British interests, especially in India and Afghanistan. The British Government gives a similar undertaking to the Soviet in respect- of the countries which formed part- of t-lie former Russian Empire and which have since become independent.

Both parties agree not to impose or maintain any form of blockade against each other, and to remove all obstacles hitherto placed in the way of the resumption of trade between the 1 nited Kingdom and Russia.

British and Russian ships, their masters, crews, and cargoes shall In ports of Russia and the United Kingdom respectively receive in all respects the treatment, privileges, facilities, immunities, and protections which are usually accorded by the established practice of commercial nations to foreign merchant ships visiting their ports.

Other clauses in the agreement deal with the appointment and rights of trade representatives and official agents. The British Government further declares that it wilt not take any steps to attack or take possession ot anv gold, funds, securities, or commodities, "not being articles identifiable as the property of the British Government,” which may be exported from Russia in payment for imports or as securities for such payment, or of any property acquired by the Soviet- Government within the United Kingdom. The Russian Government undertakes to make no claim to dispose in any way of the funds or other property of the late Imperial or provisional Russian Government in the United Kingdom. The British Government gives a corresponding undertaking in regard to British Government funds and property in Russia.

The agreement further provides that in the event of the infringement by either party at any time of any of its provisions, the other party shall immediately be free from tho obligations of the agreement. "Nevertheless it is agreed that before taking any action inconsistent with the agreement, the aggrieved party shall give the other

a reasonable opportunity of furnishing an explanation or remedying the default.”

MR LLOYD GEORGE’S VIEWS. LONDON, May 15

Mr Lloyd George expressed satisfaction at Mr McNeill’s announcement that ho will bo willing to meet M. Krassin. The quarrel between Britain and Russia would be a calamity so great that every restraint should bo exercised before a decision is reached. It would be a fundamental error to discuss Russia in terms of western civilisation because Russia was practically where France stood in her prerevolutionary days. An essontial preliminary to the stoppage of propaganda in the East was tlie re-establishment of some sort of Anglo-Russian understanding on a foreign policy. There was really no difference between Czarist and Bolshevist Russia. THE WORD ULTIMATUM. LONDON, May 15 Mr Lloyd George, continuing said that M. Chitcherin was not revolutionary in the ordinary sense of tlie word, 'but he was as great an aristocrat as Lord Curzon. (Laughter). It was the same old Russia that we were up against and they ought not to make the mistake of thinking it was just Bolshevism. Gradually the Bolsheviks would develoo into old Russian Imperialists. He begged tho Government, now that they had agreed to n conference, to take the fullest advantage thereof and think of the condition of the world. It was very grave, north, south, east and west and it was not a world to drop matches m. The word ultimatum had a nasty sound and he hoped that it was not going to be used again. Mr Lloyd George went on to sav: Let them forego some of their prejudices, even some of their righteous wrath. A revolutionary country armed was a terrible weapon. Ho appealed to the Government to enter into the conference with a full knowledge of wlmt tho dangers were and with a wish to see peace established with Russia. , , , ■ Mr Asquith said lie associated himself emphatically with Mr _ Lloyd George’s every word. Tho Soviet s behaviour had been as reprehensible as foolish, but overwhelming as was the case against the Soviet in matters of detail, he questioned the wisdom of cutting the only cord of communication between the two countries. The House would be relieved to hear that the Government was prepared to examine the questions seriatim with M. lvrassm with a sincere desire to reach an understanding. MR NEW BO I.D SUSPENDED. Sir Philip Lloyd Graeme, replying ill the debate, sharply criticised tlie Russian propaganda methods when Mr New - bold jumped up excitedly and cried. “The hoii. member is telling a falsehood!” Then turning to Captain Fitjiroy, Chairman of the Committee, he said: "You allowed charges to bo made against me all the evening without giving me a chance to reply.” Captain Fitzroy said: “That is not a Parliamentary expression. I must ask tho lion, member to withdraw from tho House.” Several Labour members appealed to the Chairman to give Mr New-bold a. chance of withdrawing tho expression, hut tho chairman again asked Mr NewboUl to leave tho House. Mr Newbold declined and the Sergeant-at-Anns was calleld in. Mr New-bold slioulted: “I am here in the name of the Communist International. Take any steps you like.” Labour uproar continued and the Speaker attempted to stop the commotion. Mr Buchanan shouted: “It is most unfair; you do not give us a show.” 51 r Lansbury cried: “Newbold is being treated brutally.” -Mr Ramsay MacDonald appealed to the Speaker to give Mr Newbold a chance of withdrawing. Tho Speaker said: “Perhaps if the hon. member withdraws the expression tho House will make an exception in this case.” There were loud and continued cries of “No!” from the Government benches. Mr Newbold tried to make an explanation, but was unable to proceed. Tlie Speaker then ruled that if any members objected he must proceed under the Standing Orders, but said perhaps the House would later take into account that the 'member.was not given a chance of withdrawing. The Speaker, amidst farther Labourits interruptions, put the motion from the choir that Mr Newbold lie suspended from the service of the House. This was carried. Mr Newbold said that out of respect for the Speaker lie would leave, and thereujwii withdrew amidst loud Labour cheers. The House then adjourned. 51. Krassin, seen after the debate, said lie had asked Lord Curzon to meet him. “It ought to he possible for us to roach an understanding,” lie said.

"Russia wants to do business with Britain on a vastly increasing scale.”

BRITAIN AND RUSSIA. LONDON, May 15. M. Litrvinoff, replying to Mr MacDonald in connection with the Labourites’ protest, stated that the decision to release the trawlers evidenced Russia’s desire to settle the differences with Britain in a conciliatory manner. REPLY FAVORABLY REGARDED. LONDON. May 15. It is understood that political circles favourably regard the Russian reply. Tho general opinion is that, tho Government is willing to afford facilities for a conference with Krassin. who has arrived, and is awaiting the British Government’s intentions. Ho has absolute power to negotiate within the scope of the Soviet’s reply.

TIKHON’S FATE. STOCKHOLM, May 15. The ‘‘Tidingens” Moscow correspondent says: “I fear Yorowsky’s assassination strengthens, the Extreme Lefts’ positions and definite seals Tikhon's fate.” A RUSSIAN VIEW. (Received this dav at 9.45 a.m.) MOSCOW, May 16. Tehitcherin referring to the demonstrations against the British ultimatum characterised the demand for recall of the Russian representatives, and apologises for their alleged activities, as a piece of unprecedented insolence.