RAKOVSKI ROLLS HIS EYES.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 January 1925, Page 4

RAKOVSKI ROLLS HIS EYES.

(i I.KA.M I Nil SILVER. PARIS. Nov., IS. There was both tragedy and humIjii r ini the scene enacted yesterday when M. linkovski, the Bolshoi ik Charge d’AHaires in London, formally took over the Russian Embassy, a magnificent building in the Rue de Crenelle. lie was receiv* I by M. Jeannot, the I'Yench guardian of the building. Never was a reception so coldly polite. Al. Joan not- was in 1910 a prisoner in a Moscow gaol. M. Rakovski bowed and smiled and offered his guide a cigarette. Imt with an icy how M. Jennnot refused the ei'*-art»ttc ami requested the .Bolshevik to follow him.

Surprise after surprise awaited the Soviet diplomat. In the first antechamber lie saw a magnificent Gobelin tapestry. “That- is very .beautiful,” he said. “Is all the furniture still here:” ••Naturally,” was the reply. ‘-Nothing lias been taken away.” The furniture of the Embassy is estimated to be worth 930,000. A STONY SILENCE. M. Rakovski paced through room after room examining rare old furniture and hangings. He climbed the stairs and visited every corner even of the servants’ rooms. In one ot them lie paused before an ikon of a Bvzanite Virgin. M. Jeannot walked slowly before him unlocking the doors. In one room he motioned to a line of oak chests black with age, with huge steel bands and padlocks. -‘The silver plate is kept there. Do you want to see it:”

M. Rakovski was eagerness itself. The chests were thrown open and there gleamed between layers of green baize the work's of silver of which the Russian Ambassadors were so proud. “ How '..mch is it worth ” asked the Bolshevik. The reply—£2oo,ooo left him in rapt contemplation. “ Has nothing been taken away:” pi, Jeannot merely drew himself up in stony silence.

But there was one thing that still pu7\7.l ed AL Rakovski. “ Where.” he asked, “ is the secret chamber where the archives are kept?” Af Jeannot shook his head. “WHERE IS THAT ROOAI?” But we know it exists,” said AL Rakovski. “ We have had reports - • --*■ it Tf i mom filled with

Czarist police reports about us, about our activities before tbe war. Where is that room ” “ I am only the steward of the Embassy,” M. Jc.-mnot replied 1 . “If there are any historical secrets 1 know nothin" and can say nothing about them.” And so -M. Ilakovski had to leave the Embassy without solving the mystery. It is believed that all the archives were removed several months ago.

LUXURIOUS HOUSE-AYRA.A! IXO. RED RECEPTION. LONDON, November 13. Luxurious motor-ears containing well-dressed men and women driving np to a brilliantly lit West End mansion over which flow the lied Flag—this was the curious picture presented by the reception given last night by the Bolshevik authorities in London at Cheshani House, Chesham-plaee, London, S.W.

Comment was made last evening that the Socialist Government which took office on .January 22 last, the day alter Lenin died, handed their seals of office to the King yesterday, the seventh anniversary of the Russian revolution, in celebration of which the reception was five'll. It was also a house-warming, for it is the lirst hig function to he held at Cheshani House since the building, formerly the Imperial Russian Embassy was taken over by the author-

ities. , . , M. Rakovsky, the Soviet (barge d'Affaires, ill evening clothes with a red carnation in his buttonhole, and Mine. Rakovsky, in a black dress dec--o,,,ted with a large red flower received the guests at the top of the stan- ‘ ‘‘utcr shaking bauds with MRakovskv the guests entered beautif„Hv decorated drawing-rooms, in one of which a siring hand was playing. Among those preset were Air Arthur Henderson. Mr Sidney Me'.b. Commander Kenworthy, Mr ( ■ • l ‘‘-' velyan, Mr George Lanshury, and - i H G. Wells. Police,non were posted outside to ask arriving guests to show them cords of invitation. Those had again to he shown at the door of I lie house. Supper was served at a bnflet.