NEW TRADE.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 June 1920, Page 5

NEW TRADE.

PROSPECTS IN RUSSIA. PRANCE FAVORS PROPOSAL■By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received June 6, 5.5 p.m. Vancouver, June 5. M. Painleve, la former Premier of Prance, who is en route on a special mission to China, in an interview said that France is entirely in accord with Britain in opening trade relations with Russia, provided adequate financial and political guarantees are given. France previously suffered by the Bolsheviks' repudiation of Russia's foreign debt Aus.-N-Z. Cable Assn.

KRASSpJ'S MISSION. STATEMENT BY LLOYD GEORGE. London, June 4. In the House of Commons, replying to Mr. Gratton regarding the conversations with Krassin, Mr. Lloyd George recalled that the Supreme Council at San Remo on April 20 decided that the Allied representatives should meet Krassin or other Russian trade delegates, except Litvinoff, in London. Krassin, besides heading the delegation representing Russian co-operative organisations, was also a Soviet Government Minister, therefore he acted in the name and on the authority of the Soviet Government.

Mr. Lloyd George thought Krassin was not originally a German agent. He was associated with a German electrical firm, but was a Russian. The Government wanted to settle certain questions before undertaking negotiations, for example the release of all British prisoners in Russia was an essential preliminary to the renewal of trade relations.

Mr. Lloyd George further said the Government also wanted guarantees that British interests east of home would not be attacked while negotiations were proceeding. After these questions were cleared up negotiations in regard to trade would be conducted by representatives of all Governments. Representatives of the French and Italian Governments were in London prepared to proceed with negotiations. Replying to Major Palmer, the Premier said he was not aware that there was great perturbation in France. The mere fact that certain French newspapers were trying to foment trouble between two friendly Allies, countries whose friendliness was essential to the world, did not prove French perturbation. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. and Reuter.