The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, OCTOBER. 8, 1920. AN ANGLO-RUSSIAN AGREEMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 October 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, OCTOBER. 8, 1920. AN ANGLO-RUSSIAN AGREEMENT.

1' ok some days past conversations have boon in progress in London between the British JAueign Minister and the .Soviet envoy; and Mr Henderson has now announced that lie has reached an agreement with M. Dovgalevsky. This understanding covers “the resumption of diplomatic relations” and involves ‘‘the settlement of outstanding questions,” including also ‘.‘an agreement in regard to propaganda.” This statement is so vague, and conveys so little material information, that it is difficult to criticise in detail. But the impression that it has produced upon public opinion in certain quarters at Home suggests some reasonable ground for anxiety and alarm. The Auckland Star says it is certainly not prepared, without more detailed knowledge of the facts, to accent undeservedly the views already expressed by some of the leading Conservative organs in London. The “Morning Post” savs the agreement is “a concession to Moscow,” and that “the only guarantee' of a satisfactory settlement is abandoned”; and the “Daily Telegraph” says that Mr Henderson “has hopelessly blackened the Government’s hitherto creditable

diplomatic record.” The point of these attacks is the assumption, not yet authoritatively comirined, that our Foreign .minister has agreed to the renewal of diplomatic relations prior to Russia's a. Kiioa lodgment of her debts and without any preliminary pledge for the cessation of Bolshevik propaganda in Britain. Ail that need, be said on this joint just now is that if Mr Henderson has lealiy done this, the “Daily Telegraph ’ is probably justified in its pretlicuon that the nation, and more particularly tire Labour Government, will soon have reason to regret it. The question of Russia’s debts alone is a serious one. Britain? war loans to Russia amounted to £843,000,001), and in addition British investors claim over ~-40,000,0b0 on account of bonds and railway securities, to say nothing of accrued interest and compensation for woma.ercial and financial injuries. Three months ago Mr W. Graham told the House of Commons that these matters would certainly be kept in view in any future arrangement made with Russia. Five years ago Mr MacDonald laid down the same condition as tlie Conservatives for the renewal of diplomatic relations with Russia—acknowledgement ot debt and cessation of propaganda. Russia’s answer lias been to make frivolous and impudent coun-ter-claims for damages sustained through '“Allied intervention” and to charge Britain with stirring up trouble throughout the rvoild against Sovietism. if Britain now surrenders the points on which the British Government and the Foreign Office have hitherto stood out firmly the effect must be to lower the national prestige and to shake seriously the confidence of the country in Mr MacDonald and his colleagues.