SOVIET AND SWISS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 April 1927, Page 2

SOVIET AND SWISS

AGRKKAI ENT SIGN ED. Australia & N.Z. Cable Assoc ation. MOSCOW, April lo>. The Soviet Foreign Office lias announced the signing of an agreement at Berlin, adjusting the long-standing controversy with Switzerland over the assassination of the Soviet representatives. AA'ovrosky. at the Lausanne Conference in 1923. The announcements states that Switzerland expresses regret and has provided monetary compensation tor Yovrovsky’s family. LONDON, April 17. Jt is recognised in diplomatic quarters that the Soviet's reconciliation w ith Switzerland may have a most important repercussion on European affairs, It is said that Germany mlluenced the rapprochement. It must he remembered that Germany always has oiie eye on the Russian market and maintains most friendly relations with the Soviet, At any rate, an agreement appears to he assured. Its importance front a League point of view lies in the fact that the Russian border States from Finland to Rupmania, have all along contended that they could not he expected to reduce armaments so long as Soviet Russia remained outside the disarmament discussions. Moscow, although invited to participate in the Preparatory Disarmament Committee’s deliberations, declined on the ground that she was unable to attend any conference held on Swiss soil ow ing to the, death of A'orovsky. It is expected that Aloscow w ill now agree to be represented at the Disarmament Commission and also he willing to participate in the Economic Conference on Afay Itli. when the production and distribution of raw material, as well as harriers to international trade, will he discussed,

It must he remembered, however, that the Soviet’s attitude towards li--armainouL is somewhat similar to Gcimany’s. The latter cynically insists that because she, was completely disarmed h.v the Bowers, the Powers must. aKo completely disarm, 'I he Soviet s interest in disarmament is suspected to he similarly cynical and is aimed merely at creating general embarrassment among the Bowers determined to combat the disentegrution of Dteir own countries by the insidious germs of Bolshevism. There is no question, however, that Russia’s reappearance in the European concalvo would bo a significant event. She has for so long been isolated that the keenest interest would be taken in her attitude. Aloroover, she would he obliged, as she has not been in the past, to come out into the open and meet men wed able to counter hi r duplicity.