EXCHANGE OF NOTES

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 75, 21 December 1929, Page 11

EXCHANGE OF NOTES

BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND SOVIET

UNDERTAKING REGARDING PROPAGANDA (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, December 19. During the House of Commons debate last night on the resumption of diplomatic relations with Russia, tbe Foreign Secretary, Mr. A. Henderson, replied to questions regarding propaganda and the Dominions. After commenting on the difficulty of negotiating with the distant Dominions in a restricted time, he proceeded: “We have, however, secured at the request of the Dominions that on the presentation of credentials, which I hope will take place on Friday, there will be an exchange of Notes between the two Governments covering propaganda as between the United Kingdom and the Soviet Government, and also at the request of the Dominions there .will be a supplementary Note, in which the name of each Dominion will be specially mentioned, giving exactly the same undertaking as we have secured as regards propaganda with the United Kingdom. When once we have resumed relations with Russia we shall watch this question of propaganda. We are as much opposed to propaganda as any party on the other side of the House. When we get into relations with Russia we shall do everything we can to prevent it, and in the event of it continuing we shall use all our diplomatic powers to have it discontinued, but—and I think it was Mr. Lloyd George who, in his speech on November 5, expressed 'such a hope—we shall not pack up our kit at the first provocation. That is the line we shall endeavour to follow.” RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION CONDEMNED London, December 20. A fervid mass meeting, mostly women, which filled the Albert Hall, applauded the condemnation of Russia’s anti-religious activities, unanimously adopted Lord Brentford s motion vehemently protesting against the cruel persecution of fellow worshippers in Russia, and calling all believers in God and lovers of liberty to pray and work unceasingly for the religious freedom of Russians. It urged the British Government to make the strongest representations to the Soviet to terminate tbe persecution, and ordered copies of the resolution to be despatched to the heads of all civilised governments. - .