BOLSHEVIK DEMON

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 20, 23 January 1920, Page 5

BOLSHEVIK DEMON

TO BE EXORCISED BY TRADE U »-*'*W© THE BLOCKADE. SOVIET WANTS TO COME IN. (Received 8.54 a__)' LONDON, January 22. Litvinoff, Bokhevik representative, wno has been in Denmark, endeavourine to arrange with England for the interchange of prisoners, was interviewed at Copenhagen on the question of the proposals to trade with Russia. He says the fact that the Allies mention they will only trade with the co-operative societies may be intended to frustrate the effect.of relaxing the blockade. That declaration o. the Allies would only be lip-service to the popular demand. The Russian Government would naturally resent the bestowal of a monopoly upon certain groups of Russians, especially as the whole of the export trade had been nationalised. The "Daily Herald," the London Labour paper, states that it is officially informed that the Soviet is prepared to place £40,000,000 in gold in the foreign banks as a basis for trade. A million tons of wheat is ready for immediate export, and valuable trade concessions will also be granted.— (United Service.) BLOCKADE FULLY RAISED. TRADE RENDERS BOLSHEVIKS INNOCUOUS. LONDON, January 22. The Paris correspondent of the "Daily Express" states that the Supreme Council has decided to raise the blockade of Russia completely. The Supreme Council regards the reOpening of trade, together with the subsequent resumption of general economic and presumably diplomatic, relations as the surest protection against the Bolshevik menace. Measures wilL be taken to prevent Bolshevik propaganda from filtering eastw_rd. The Food Controller (Mr. G. H. Roberts), addressing the British Russia Club, said that Russian supplies of food and raw material were important from the point of view of the world's economic welfare. The discovery of new sources of supply gave the best hope of a reduction in the cost of living. Colonel John Ward, M.P., proposing the toast, of Russia, said the opening of trade, to'which he was opposed, was the beginning of a movement which would enable the Soviet power to establish itself on a permanent basis.—'(A and N.Z.)