WHOSE GOLD?

Taranaki Daily News, 1 June 1920, Page 5

WHOSE GOLD?

FUNDS OF THE SOVIET. PAYMENT FOR IMPORTS. By Telcffr«ph.'-PrcßS Assn.—Copfrlght. Received May 31, 5.5 p.m. London, May 30. It is explained on behalf of krassin (head of the Russian Trade Delegation;, that Russia is ready to pay gold for imports. The question has been raised as to whom the gold belongs. It is recalled that when Sweden recently rejected the Soviet's trading overtures the Leninites guaranteed £5,500,000 in gold, and the Frenoh Press pointed out that the gold belonged to the Allies. The Times states it is informed that the gold is mostly in ingots, bearing the stamp of the old Russian Empire, and the paper asks: "Can any civilised Government recognise Lenin's right to liberate the gold, ignoring the claims of Russia's English, French, and other creditors? Our acceptance of the money would acknowledge the Soviet's right to it, and inferentially acknowledge tho legitimacy of the Government itself. We have reason to believe that the main object of Krassin's mission 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 Krassin represents the Russian co operative bodies, since Moscow advices admit the Soviet absorbed the co-operative concerns. The Times declares Lord Curzon and Mr. Bonar Law recognise their own complicity, as members of the Cabinet, if they permit Mr. Lloyd George to shake hands with representatives of a blood-stained despot.

Paris, May 30. Le Temps urges that the acceptance of such gold would amount to a condonation of robbery and fraud.—United Service.

.RUSSIA'S STATE TREASURE. HOW IT IS THROWN AWAY. Received June 1, 1.15 a.m. Peking, May 30. The dissipation of Russian Stajte treasure is a crying scandal in the Far East. Scmenoii' cominandeered two Uioiisand pounds weight of the treasure, and en route to the coast squandered millions on loose women, the latter passing through Chinese territory with boxes filled with gold. The Customs Held up 315,000 gold roubles,—Times Service.