ANTI-SOVIET PLOT

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1927, Page 2

ANTI-SOVIET PLOT

(Australia it N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, February 17. The- British United Press reports that a sensation was caused at Moscow by the publication of the newspapers “Pravda ” and “ Zvestia ” of documents purporting to show that Sir AY. Joynson Ilick.s (British Home Minister) ami other prominent British personalities are in League against the Soviets, and notably Sahlin, a former Ambassador under the Tzar, and now resident in Paris. The “ Izvestia represents the old Tsarist diplomats in acting as the agents and the accomplices of the British “ diehards.” The " Pravda ’’ declares that certain groups in Kngland are plotting against the Soviet, and enumerates individuals and organisations, including British hankers, and even heads of the Anglican and Catholic Churches. This so-called exposure purports to reveal secret springs of anti-Soviet work in England. It declares that Mr AY. Churchill and Lord Birkenhead support the group, who are trying to break up the Anglo-Bussiim relations. It is even alleged that ail appeal has been made for money from Russian royalists for a campaign to clear out the “Reds.” Both the “ Pravda ” and the “ Tzvestia.” it is reported, publish photographs of documents allegedly proving their assertions.

AIR CHURCH ILL'S A’IE AYS. LONDON. February 17

Air AA’inston Churchill in a' speech, indicated that the Government at present has no intention of closing down the Soviet Embassy. He said the Government was not labouring under any delusion about Russia. “It is sometimes asked,” he said, ” what is the government afraid of? Nothing could be less alarming from the Government’s point of view than a gesture sweeping out Russian representation. It would in no wise involve any test ot physical or moral courage. Tt would give immense satisfaction throughout the country; blit if we do not take this course, you must credit us with having carefully considered all the aspects ot the matter, with no other object than the preservation of the country’s interests and the peace of the world. AA'e are not ignorant of the provocation, hut there are other considerations which at present, cannot be swept aside j as of no value.” LORD ROSEBERY. LONDON. February 17.

In spite of his great age. Lord Rosebery. who it is reported still takes great interest in public affairs lias thrown a bombshell into the Liberal camp by asking, in a letter to the Press, for information about Air Lloyd George’s electoral fund, which is reported to amount to over two millions sterling. Lord Rosebery bluntly asks how much the fund is. and from whom it has been obtained.

Ail official in Air Lloyd George’s office said yesterday: “AA’e do not think it necessary, or desirable at present, to reply further than to say the fund which Air Lloyd George controls was raised in a way which does not differ from that followed hv the Conservative party, or the Liberal Party in the days before the coalition, and that all along it has been devoted to legitimate party purposes.”