RUSSIAN GOLD

Southland Times, Issue 18836, 1 June 1920, Page 5

RUSSIAN GOLD

QUESTION OF OWNERSHIP

KRASSIN’S OFFER CRITICISED

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association). LONDON, May 30. It is explained on behalf of Krassin, head of the Russian delegation that Russia is ready to pay gold for her imports. A question has been raised as to whom the gold belongs. It is recalled that when Sweden recently rejected the Soviet's trading over turps the Leninites guaranteed 11.' .500,000 in gold. The Freneh press p-omted out that the gold belonged to the Allies. The Times states that it is inlormed that the gold was mostly in ingot-, 1 tearing the stamp of the old Empire an;! asks; ‘‘Can any civilised Government recognise Lenin’s right to /'crate gold, ignoring the chums of Russia's English, French and other creditors? Our acceptance of the money ■would acknowledge the Soviet’s right to it and inferentially acknowledge the legitimacy of the Government itself. We hive reason to believe that the main object of Krassm’s

mi.-sion is to obtain a general license to export such gold to England and sell it in the open market.'' The Times describes as puerile and false the statement that Kras.-in represents the Russian co-operative bodies, since Moscow advices admit that the Soviet have absorbed the co-operative tissoeiations. and declares that Lord Gurzi-n and Mr Bonar Law will recognise their own complicity as members of the Cabinet if they permit Mr Lloyd George to shake' hand.- with the representatives of a blood.-i amed despotism.

The Pari.- Temps urge- llr.it accept ■iiico of such gold would amount In condonation nt .Tobbcry and fraud.

BOLSHEVIK PROFLIGACY, DISSIPATION OF STATE TREASURE. A CRYING SCANDAL, PEKIN, May SO. (Received June 1. Lb :i.m, i The dis.-ipaiion rf the Russian State treasure is a crying -caudal in th.e Ear Ea.-r. Semcurl'i corn t !l:1 n !e.-red 2U(t(tibs weight cm route to the coast and juandeicd millions on loose women, the latter passing through Chinese territory with hoxes full of cold. The Customs h.cld up dIdJJOO gold roubles.

REDS’ SOUTHWARD THRUST. ARMENIAN COUNTER STROKE. SIMLA, May 31. (Received May 31. ti.dl) pro.) News has been received from the Caucasus that, when til" 801.-hevik armies were descending upon Baku from the north, a large well-equipped Armenian force moved against the Tartar republic and captured Klizabethpol after fierce fighting. The Armenians are nine astride tile railway below Tiflis and are moving along it. .Another Armenian force is advancing down the river Aras, apparently with the intention of seizing the district- of Karadsgh. lying between Persia and the Tartar republic. This move, cutting oft th.e Bolsheviks from Persia except by sea, induced the Red leaders to approach the Armenians with offers of a treaty. THE SPA CONFERENCE. FURTHER POSPOMEMENT PROBABLE. PARIS, May 29. The Petit Parisian states that, France and Britain are Likely to agree to Italy's demands for the postponement of the ripa C-o tile recce.