Britain and Russia

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 784, 3 October 1929, Page 11

Britain and Russia

AN AGREEMENT ANNOUNCED Resumption of Relations FIERCE CRITICISM IN BRITISH PRESS British Official Wireless Received 11 a.m. RUGBY, Y\ ednesday. THE Foreign Secretary, Mr. Arthur Henderson, announces that, as a result of his negotiations with M. Dovgalevsky, an agreement lias been reached on the procedure that will be put into operation immediately on an exchange of Ambassadors between Britain and Russia. “When the House of Commons meets,” be says, “it will be the business of the Government to make a report on the conversations that have taken place with Mr. Dovgalevsky, and I will be quite prepared to await the decision of the House.”

“We have taken a most important step. 1 believe that immediately Ambassadors have been exchanged and the full machinery has been put into operation, there will be such an agreement as will place our relationship in a satisfactory position, and will bring the two countries together as they have not been for many years.” Referring to the agreement at a dinner at Brighton, Mr. Henderson said that when Parliament met he would ask for an exchange of Ambassadors with Russia and a commission would come to London representative of the Russian people and Government.

Criticism of the agreement is centred on the fact that, subject to Parliament’s approval, the restoration

of full diplomatic relations with the Soviet is to follow without any of the conditions on which Mr. Henderson at first insisted. “It is a surrender to Moscow,’’ says the “Morning Post,” which proceeds to point out that the questions of debts and propaganda are not to precede recognition of Russia, but are to come afterward. Thus the only guarantee of a satisfactory settlement is abandoned.

The “Daily Telegraph” says Mr. Henderson has hopelessly blackened the Government’s hitherto creditable diplomatic record. It is probable that the nation will shortly rue the step now taken and it is- certain that the Government will.