RUSSIAN SOVIETS

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1926, Page 2

RUSSIAN SOVIETS

BRITISH COMMISSION REPORT

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.]

LONDON. MaA ; 20.

“There is no doubt whatsoever that the present Government has come to stay,” nys the joint-report of Commoners Frank Nelson, Robert Boothbv, Colonel Moore and Captain Bourne, who have toured Russia unofficially for the purpose of supplying the Conservatives with fifst hand information: The signatories suggest that Britain’s objectives towards Russia should be, in the first place, id check, arid ultimately, stop anti-British propoganda ; secondly, to obtain Russian recognition of pre-war private, debts; thirdly, to get as much money as possible for the British Nationals to whom the debts ■are dufe; fourthly, to increase trade between Britain and Russia for the sake of our unemployed. “We are unable to see insuperable difficulties if the Soviet givtls undertakings with regard to the first, second. and third clauses. In view of tlio increasing activities of Germans and Aincrii ails, we suggest that Britain watch the situation most carefully in order that a probable early opportunity be not missed of securing diplomatic and commercial settlement.” The report is full of interesting disclosures.

“We believe the fall of the Soviet lr> be highly improbable, nevertheless, the ideals of justice are farcical and wholly based on political considerations, while there is no justification for the wholesale arrests, and.deportations without trial and even shootings. The economic system now adopted is peasantry, based upon individual exchange of products, and industrialism, based on Socialism. All this is, theoretically, Democratic : but in fact, the Government is an Autocracy, if not Tyranny. But transitions «re proceeding surely and slowly. Though there is tolerance of all forms of religion, there goes on, hand in hand with it, most insidious anti-Christian propaganda methods, ridiculing Christ, and blaspheming his teachings, which filled us with abhorrence. It is a country of amazing contradiction. Private enterprise is discouraged: where not prohibited, yet it is evident,, even among streetwalkers. However, everything is ill a process of evolution in the right rather than ilie wrong direction. That the upper mid middle classes arc suffering was borne out by our observations, while the workers are benefited by the privileges tind concessions, such as Tree theatres, cheaper food and accommodation on which they have the first Hall.

“The position, briefly summarised, is that the Russians are largely fatalists, and have passively accepted the new regime. They are now mostly better off than previously. Tills statement, detached from its context, must not be supposed to show that we consider Communism, as such, to be a suc-

cess. Nothing is further from our minds, because the present system is not Communism, as we understand it. The so-called ‘Proletarian Dicta torship’ is nothing more of less than an extrcmbly efficient Diclirtorshiji over (lie proletariat; Those who suffered iii the ffrist have givfcn up hope, or desire for any radical change. Me believe that evolution affords the best liopo of lightening tlieir lot, and it is our conviction that closer sympathy V’.nd understanding, between Europe and Russia, will do much to assist this happy development. "While the financial position bristles with complexities, we have no hesitation in saying that the situation is in no sense dangerous. The country is far removed from imminent bankruptcy, and the currency shows no sign of collapse. The financial policy is sound, almost severe; exports arc forecasted, ami-im-ports arc bound to increase, The Soviet does riot conceal trie fact that it wants to trade with Bfitain, for which loan or long term credits are necessary. One member of the Soviet remarked: “l,oiidon has money, hut disbelieves our credit; Berlin believes our credit, but lias no money, unless it gets it via England, which, to a certain e.xteilt it is already doing.” The members of the deputation point out- tlifit Britain in the meantime may bo losing an immense advantage, and may later find that, with Russia’s financial emergence, that the opportunity of making fair terms for old loans, and private debts passed by. ‘MU do not Wholly rule ciiit the possibility of a lien oil revenue as security, though it is unlikely; but know a form of security, callf'd ‘eoiic.essioils,’ would be. considered. M T e express the opinion that, on the whole Russia is capable of presenting a great field for tlio judicious investment of British capital. M"e view with increasing anxiety the Russiu-Gerriiari agreement. It is not desirable that Germany he the sole link between Russia and the rest of Iho world. The Soviet told us that they are prepared to resume negotiations with Britain. If so, wo. hope that they will he brought to a successful conclusion.”