TRADE WITH RUSSIA

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10614, 12 June 1920, Page 8

TRADE WITH RUSSIA

FRENCH DOUBTS SCEPTICISM REGARDING GUARANTEES. B.v Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright Reuter’s Telegram. LONDON, June 0. The following statement illuminates the almost insuperable difficulties surrounding the question of trade with Russia. It appears that the Supremo Economic Council, meeting in Paris, lias not yet agreed as regards the Bolsheviks' guarantees. It is stated that the British are disposed to accept any guarantees which .ire offered, and also the assurances as regards the existence of Russian goods. The French, however, are sceptical, and point out that the Soviet Republic is a Federation of States, hone© there is no proof that goods sent by e.no State will not he seized by another in Transit. Hitherto the Bolsheviks have been unable tci give guarantees against chaos prevailing in Russia. Moreover, the Council wants an assurance that neither ships nor cargoes will be seized upon reaching ports. The Krassin mission has already proved its inability to find a basis of trade in the exchange system; and it is also doubtful whether groups of Russian States will recognise Krassin as a mandatory. Krassin is the only cultured uian of tho mission; tho others are of inferior social status. Tho mission is accompanied by a score of exports, who are not Bolsheviks. They are mostly officials of the old regime, _ obliged'to servo tho Bolshevik administration to get a living. PROPOSED SEIZURE OF BOLSHEVIK GOLD. PARIS, Juno 10. The “Petit Parisicn” reports that France has asked Sweden to seize gold which tho Bolshevik Government has deposited in Sweden. It is also reported that Franco has asked England to seize a ship carrying Russian gold and platinum to England.