KRASSIN MISSION

Southland Times, Issue 18840, 5 June 1920, Page 5

KRASSIN MISSION

GROWING riSTRGST IN LONDON OFFICIAL CIRCIE) DIV.DED (By Telegraph.— Press Assn. —Copyright.) (United Service.) LONDON, June 3. Latest reports indicate that the Bolshevist mission inspires increasing caution and criticism. While M. Krossin himself is conscious of the changing atmosphere he is desperately anxious to pull oft' something practical. The Times continues its slashing attacks, sharing France’s ho-tility. It states that the question of the expediency anil even the morality, of intercourse with the Bolsheviks divides official circles. It is believed that Mr Wise, the British member of the Economic Council, and Mr Kerr, the Premier’s secretary, are the chief advocates of the Bolshviks’ cause, while the Foreign Office and other departments regard the negotiations with disapproval and misgiving. Unanimity prevails on one point, only, namely, the impossibility of touching Bolshevist gold. Also it is doubted whether bartered goods from Russia would not be liable to seizure to satisfy Britl-h and other creditors of Russia, The Bolshevist set rotary or supervisor constantly shadows M. Ixrassin, who talks Marxian jargon an 1 shows almost fatuous optimism in oia. .ally estimating Russia’s available resource-, lie hints that Russia's debts might be di.-cus-ed, but carefully disavows Bolshevist obligations under the law of nationals. It is possible the Allies will ultimately send a commission to test Krassm’s assurances and investigate the ownership of exportable commodities. The Times reproduces the (ext of a remarkable memoir in which a member of the Soviet (’ouncil of Kennomy reveals the increasing deehne of Russian industry and paralysis of transport. He shows that Bolshevist ambitions are unchanged, and glorifies the attempt- to bribe the Polish army. There was similar bribery in connection with the defeat of K-dtchak and Denikin, in winch I.'iU.Obo.DOO gold roubles were spent.

SITUATION IN RUSSIA. BOLSHEVIK OFFENSIVE BREAKING. FIERCE POLISH RESISTANCE. (Reuter's Telegrams.) WARSAW, June 2. The Bolshevik offensive is breaking down before fierce resistance. The Bolsheviks who crossed the Beresina south of Borisofl have been dispersed. The Bolsheviks not only failed t-o rapture Kieff but after violent fighting left the Dnieper severely defeated. Their attacks on the Dnieper have been repulsed. POLAND AND CZECHOSLOVAKIA. RUPTURE OF RELATIONS DENIED. LONDON, June 3. Advices fr-m Prague deny the report- of a rupture between Poland ;uid Czechia-Slov-akia. TURKISH TREATY. THE PORTE’S REPLY. PARIS, June 3. Ritaac Pasha ha; received the Turkish reply to the peace terms. Turkey agrees to the autonomy of Palestine and Armenia but refuses to acknowledge their independence. She refuses to give Thrace to Greece, but is ■willing to grant political and administrative autonomy or allow the 1-eague of Nations to govern the province. She is prepared to entrust Smyrna to the League of Nations. EAST AFRICA. FORMER GERMAN TERRITORY. BELGIAN NEGOTIATIONS. LONDON. June 2. i Received June 5, 1.20 a.m. i M. Bas.-ompierre, an official of the Belgian foreign Office, and M. Lnuwrrs, of the Uolomal Department, are now in Loudon negotiating with Lord Milner in regard to the ex-German territory in East Africa known as i'anganyika. it has been arranged that th<- ex-German provinces of Ruanda and L’rundi -hall be included in the Belgian mattdale, bur certain transit problems are not yet set’led. including arrangements for transportation along the section of railway between Tabora and the coast at Dar-es-Salaam.