KRASSIN'S AIMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 June 1920, Page 5

KRASSIN'S AIMS.

TRADE WITH RUSSIA. PARIS QUESTIONS THE MISSION. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, June 1. It is understood that the British Government will insist on the release of British prisoners in Russia before assenting to the resumption of trade. To-day's meeting between Krassin (head of the Russian trade envoys who are visiting London) and British Minis- | ters dealt only with general trade propoI sals, not with any question of recognition, the object being to discover what Russia needed and what she was able to export. 'lt was made clear that trade could not be conducted simultaneously with propaganda.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn Received June 3, B p.m. Paris, June 2. The Petit Parisien states that the conversations between Mr. Lloyd George and Krassin have caused a painful surprise. Both the Petit Parisien and Le Journal express the opinion that Britain is really aiming to secure a cessation of the Bolshevik advance on Persia.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GOLD NOT QUESTIONED. A SYSTEM OF BARTER. Received June 3, 0 p.m. London, July 2. The Standard states that no question will be raised regarding payment by Russia for Allied goods in gold. Krassin'* proposals are on the basis of goods for goods, possibly flax and wheat for locomotives and other manufactures. Franca and Italy will participate in the exchange.—United Service. [The Paris Temps recently published the following character sketch of Krassin, who i 3 now in London as head of the Soviet trade delegation?—"Krassin is the real organiser of economic life in the Soviet Republic. More than that, he personifies a wliole evolution of Bolshevism towards the Right; he is the man of affairs, the engineer of communist power. Born of a good Russian bourgeois family, it is a mistake to describe him as a Jew, he very early joined the Socialist Party, and has been the friend of Lenin for 20 years. He withdrew from the militant action after the revolution of 1906. Like many other intellectuals, he disapproved the forcible expropriations practised at that period by tho Bolsheviks when out of funds. He turned to industry and finance, and soon won appreciation by his savoir faire and undoubted talent as organiser and engineer. He managed the Russian branch of the German SiemensSchuckert Company, and also took part in numerous French enterprises in Russia. Very affable, very European, he moved in many circles without ever completely breaking the links with his former comrades or completely renouncing his ideas."]