NO PROPAGANDA I

Hokitika Guardian, 28 October 1924, Page 2

NO PROPAGANDA I

AVAHNING TO ItI'SSIA. [Reuters Telegrams.] LONDON, Oct. 25. The Foreign Office has issued the text of a letter it addressed to the Uussian Charge d’Affaires, drawing attention to a letter which AL Zinovieff, President of the Executive Committee of the Communist International, addressed to the Cencral Committee of the British Communist Party, containing instructions to work for the violent overthrow of existing institutions in Britain, and the subversion of his Majesty’s armed forces as a means to that end.

The Foreign Office informs AL Zinovieff that the British Government cannot allow this propaganda, and must regard it as direct interference in British domestic affairs.

Tt says: “No one who understands the constitution and relationships of the Communist and relationships of the Communist International will doubt its intimate connection with the Soviet Government. Such conduct is not only a grave departure from the rules of international comity. but also a violation of specific solemn undertakings repeatedly given.” The Foreign Office cites the agreement of June Ith.. 1923. relative to propaganda, and points out that the Treaty recently concluded made still further provision for the faithful execution of analogous undertaking.

“His Alajesty’s Government means that these undertakings shall be carried out in letter and spirit, and cannot accept the contention that, whilst the Soviet Government undertakes obligations. a political body, powerful as itself, is to be allowed to conduct propaganda—and. to support it with initney —which is in direct violation of the official agreement. “The Soviet Government either has or has not the power to make such arrangements. If it has the power, it is its do tv to carry them out. and see that other parties are not deceived. Tf it has not this power, and if the responsibilities which belong to the. State in other countries are in llussia in the keeping of private and irresponsible bodies, the Soviet Government ought not to make arrangements which if knows if cannot carry out.’

Finally, the Foreign Office requests the observations of the Soviet Government on this matter without delay. The letter is signed in the absence of the Secretary of State, by Mr .1. I). Gregory. Assistant Secretary to the Foreign Office. The “Daily Express” interviewed Al. Hakovskv (Bussian Ambassador), who declared that Al. Zinoviefr’s letter was an amusing forgery. lie denied that it emanated from the Communist International headquarters, adding: _ “1 have no idea who wrote it. It IS a great election manoeuvre on the eve of polling. The contents do not conform to Communist International tactics. The Soviet Government cannot be made responsible for the action of the executive of the Communist International. Tam surprised that the foreign Office has not waited for a reply from us before giving the alleged communication publicity.” Air 1 Ilk pi n. Secretary id' the Communist Daily in Britain, denies that Ihe party received AL Zinnvieff’s letter. He expresses the oyinion that the document is a complete forgery. A similar statement has been issued by AL Bukovsky’s secretary.