SOVIET RUSSIA.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17103, 26 March 1921, Page 9

SOVIET RUSSIA.

RELATIONS WITH AMERICA.

NOTE TO PRESIDENT HARDING.

(By Cable—Press Association— Copyright.) (Australian and X.Z. Cable Association.) (Received March 25th, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 23. The Russian Note which the Stato Department published to-day, disclosed that its contents were virtually similar to the outline previously cabled. The Soviet Government also promised categorically not to carry on any propaganda in the United States, since they were too busy repairing economic conditions in Russia to be able to undertake such propaganda. Mr Hughes, Secretary of State, says the State Department has received advices corroborating the Press reports of Lenin's modified Communistic principles as applied to Russia, favouring closer relationship with capitalistic nations.

The Soviet's anneal was addressed to both President Harding and Congress. It is thought hero that the Soviet purposely included Congress,' since it is recalled that many members of the former Congress opposed ex-President Wilson's Russian policy. Reports that, 90 tons of Soviet gold, bearing the Swedish "Mint stamp, were en route to America, elicited the information that the United States Treasury would accent, nil metal bearing tho stamp of a friendly country, but would not accept 50,000.000 dollars' worth of Russian gold roubles already here.

[Tho Washington correspondent or the "Now York Times" telegraphed tho other dny that President Hnrding has received a diroH; appeal from the Moscow regime, asking for a resumption of trade relations. The Soviet Tiropose* to send a delegation to the United States to negotiate a commercial agreement. President Harding sent tho message to the State Department, where it is being considered, "lint no statement lias been authorised concernin n the probable action of the United States. The appeal has not created surprise, as it was expected that the signing of tbe Arglo-Riissinn agreement would be followed immediately by a vigorous drive in the United States to force recognition of the Bolshevik Government. It was formerly believed that, unless President Harding and Mr Charles Hughes, Secretary of State, were prepared to completely reverse. exPresident Wilson's Russian policy, is now considered extremely unlikely, they would flatly reject the Moscow overtures.] DENMARK'S DECISION. (Received MnroTi 2-Wi, 11.5 i>.m.) COPENHAGEN, March 24. The Danish Government has defi Vd to resume commercial relations with Russia. MARTIAL LAW. R.TGA, MnTch 23. Martia.l law has been declared in sixteen Russian The railways in the Moscow district have practically stopped, only military trains running. ~ ■ _ The 15th ami 16th Armie9, at Pskov and Homel, are permeated with disorder, and crowds of soldiers are deserting. CONTRACT WITH KRUPP'S. PARIS, March 23. The "Petit Parisien" states that Russia has contracted with Itrupp's for alteration's and improvements to powder factories and munition plants. The transport of machinery to Russia has begun. RELATIONS WITH AFGHANISTAN. LONDON. March 23. Answering Lord Sydenham in- the House of Lords, Lord LyttoH said he believed the Bolsheviks were carrying on negotiations with v the Afghan Government. We should require that the terms of the Treaty should be disclosed to the British Government, and then determine whether the Treaty was consistent with the friendly relations we desired with the Amir. JAPAN AND EASTERN 'SIBERIA. TOKTO, March 23. Viscount Uchida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, told the House of Peers that Janan would be obliged to adopt whatever action was necessary to preserve her rights in Kamchatka, if the Russian Par Eastern Republio persisted in transferring part of the peninsula to the Soviet Government. THE LITHUANIAN LINE.' (Received March 25th, 11.5 p.m.) COPENHAGEN, March 24. A Kovno message states that Zeligowski's troops have crossed the demarcation line, and are plundering the neutral zone. Three members or the Lithuanian Commission who were sent to investigate, were captured and shot. Polish artillery at Druskilniki opened fire on the Lithuanian lino, and killed and wounded a number of troops..