BAITAIN AND SOVIET

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 47, 5 December 1929, Page 6

BAITAIN AND SOVIET

SECOND EDITION.

QUESTION OF RELATIONS.

PLEDGES AND PROPAGANDA

DEBATE IN THE LORDS

(Uuited Press, Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) LONDON, December 4. The resumption of diplomatic relations with Russia was the subject of a debate in the House of Lords, initiated by the Earl of Birkenhead, who called attention to the Soviet's recent revolutionary propaganda, and invited a statement of policy of the Government He moved a resolution that the resumption of relations at present was undesirable. rtr . . , , .. .* Lord Thomson (Minister for An), replying, said that the policy of the Government was to resume normal diplomatic 'relations with the least possible delay and. at the same time safeguard British interests not only in this country, but throughout the world. The Government hoped to contribute to the maintenance of world peace and to expand British trade. It was the Government's view that relations with the Soviet Government should never have been broken off. The policy of refusing relations because they could not accept the promises of the Soviet Government was a policy of despair. It would mean that the present state of affairs would continue indefinitely. The Ambassadors had not yet bcym_ exchanged, and the pledge regardinc propaganda had not yet been given. The Government had not > renounced. and would not renounce, its right to take any measure it might think necessary to check foreign subversive* propaganda, from whatever source it might emanate. Losd Brentford asked whether, in the face of that declaration, if propaganda continued either in Britain or elsewhere in the Empire, instigated by the Russian Government, its envoys would be sent out again. < - . Lord Thomson replied:- "If it is instigated by .the Russian Government, most. certainly.". • ~ ~ ' Lord. Birkenhead: "Including the Third International?" Lord Thomson: "Yes." Continuing, Lord Thomson said he. did not want to leave the impression that propaganda would cease as if by magic. It could not r in the nature of things, with a body like the' Third International. Regarding the argument that relations should not be resumed with a.- country in which atrocities and executions had taken place, Lord Thomson said that- the Government did not condone the atrocities and regretted the executions, but it believed that resumption of relations with Russia would tend to diminish the system of executions and atrocities which still prevailed there. "We believe: that it is in the best interests of our country to resume relations. We believe that it is absolutely indispensable for .the general peace of. the world; that is the reas.oll why the Government is undei taking its present policy," concluded Lord Thomson. ~.,-• « The Marquess of Reading (Liberal! approved the Government's policy as sound and wise and in the interests of real security for universal peace. He would have preferred to see an,agreement definitely setting down the terms of the relations to exist before the exchange of Ambassadors, but he hoped that when the- conditions were laid down they would be as definite and precise as possible. The ArchbishoD of Canterbury (the Most Rev s Dr. Cosmo Lang) drew attention to the attitude of the Soviet toward Christianity and all forms of religion, but he said he had received information that there was now a cessation of the more flagrant violations of the elementary principles of justice. He -believed there would be a greater chance of securing some alleviation of the difficult position of religious people in Russia if representations could be. made to" the Soviet Government through ordinary diplomatic channels.

ATTITUDE OF THE DOMINIONS.

NO DISSENT FROM POLICY

' (Received This Day, 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 4. Asked in the House of Commons whether the Commonwealth had intimated the conditions on which it would agree to the Government's policy toward Russia, the Under-Secretary for the Dominion (Mr W. Lunn) said he had heard nothing of the Commonwealth's attitude in general. The Dominions had been kept fully informed of everything done and none had dissented.