RUSSIAN TRADE.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 June 1920, Page 5

RUSSIAN TRADE.

QUESTION OF RUSSIAN DEBTS.

KRASSIN DENIES LIABILITY. By Telegraph.—Press Asia Copyright. London, Juno 15, The Cabinet and Krassin discussed the Russian Government debts, contracted in HII7. Krassin completely 'denied liability and intimated that, if force of circumstances compelled the acceptance of liability, the Soviet Government would insist, as a counter-balancing factor, upon inheriting such rights as were given to Russia under former treaties, even if the treaties were secret, including the ccwiou of Constantinople to Russia under the Treaty of London, 1015. Furthermore, it would write off the charges incurred in overcoming the attacks of the "white rebels" if they were financed and supported by any foreign Power, together with the cost of repairing the damage incurred in those campaigns.

Financiers and business men representing ten nations concluded a conference in Paris, urging their respective governments not to resume trade with Russia until an international agreement had been secured compelling the Leninites to fulfil the obligations incurred during the Czarist regime. The Manchester Guardian, one of the most ardent supporters of the re-open-ing of trade, now admits that the Krassin outlook is unpromising, and asserts that the British Government is really attempting to complete a de facto peace, while unwilling to resume diplomatic relations, but Krassin Jias not jet secured satisfactory assurances from Moscow. Meanwhile British firms are pressing for the restoration of their private property in Russia, and their insistence may contribute to the wrecking of negotiations.