THE RUSSIAN TREATY

Hokitika Guardian, 22 October 1924, Page 1

THE RUSSIAN TREATY

AIR MOREL’S DISCLOSURE.

(London Daily Afail). How a body of Socialist hack-bene

er.s forced the Clovernmeiit to sign the surrender to the Bolsheviks is described by Air E. I). Morel, the Socialist Al.l’. lor Dundee, in a Glasgow Socialist publication called “Forward.” Air Morel declares that on Afonday, August 4th. “all the points remaining unsettled were disposed of, with one exception. That exception was the wording of Article 11 relating to compensation for ex-British owners of properties in Ru-s----siat whose properties had lieen nationalised by tile Soviet Government.” lie goes on to describe the all-night conference and recalls the ollicial communique issued by the Foreign Ollieo at 7.15 a.m. on August nth. stating: “Negotiations with the Russians broke down and the treaty will not he signed.” This communique, he complains, was issued with “what seems curious precipitancy.” lie continues: A number of back-bench members of

Parliament who have played a prominent part for the past four years in the public endeavour to bring about an Anglo-Russian reconciliation had been following the last phase of the negotiations with anxious attention.

When apprised of the lamentable upshot. six of these members proceeded by appoinnient to Mr I’onsoiihy’s room in the House of Commons at 2 p.m. on Tuesday. August sth. heard from his lips mi account of the breakdown, and made certain representations. With this knowledge and consent tliev at once got into communication with tbe Russians. At 8..‘10 that evening these six members, reinforced by some twelve others, met the Russian delegation by appointment in one oT tile conference rooms of the House of Commons. Every section oT (lie party was represented. At the close of the proceedings four members were chosen bv their colleagues to proceed at once to Mr Ponsolib.v to place their own views and unanimous views of their colleagues before him. Dv that time it was 10 p.m. The Russians, between whom and tlie Drilish Government there bad been no communication of any kind whatsoever since the rupture at 7 a.m. that day, remained in the precincts of the House. ANOTHER DEADLOCK. The interview with Air I’onsonby then took place, with the result that at 11 p.m. the four members who had seen him were able to inform the Russians that, if the latter were willing, ollicial negotiations would he resumed at II a.m. th<' next morning on the basis of a formula submitted. The Russians agreed.

tint by noon, information came to hand that a deadlock bad again occurred. Once more the four members met. and were received by Air I’onsonby at 1.110 p.m.; one hour and a half before tlie House was due to meet. Half an hour later the four members were on their way. with others, to the Russian Agency ofliees in New Rond street, carrying with them yet another formula. A rapid and earliest consultation bet ween the members of the Russian delegation ensued. Then M. Rakovsk.v rose with the words; “T accept.” The long tension was over. Unofficial diplomacy had jus titled itself. Englishmen and Russians clasped hands. At to p.m. the Russian acceptance was communicated {,, \||- I’onsonhv at the Foreign Oltice. At 7.,'10 p.m. Ibc t "nilcr-SiM reary of Slate lose in his place ill i lII' House and stall'd Ilia! a treaty bad been concluded with Russia and would be signed the next day.