FORMIDABLE OBSTACLES

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 138, 11 June 1920, Page 7

FORMIDABLE OBSTACLES

FRENCH DOUBTS 7OF THE SOVIET

NO GUARANTEES AGAINST

FAILURE.

■(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.) (KEUTER'S TELEnRAM.) (Received June 11, 9 a.m.) LONDON, 9th June.

The following statement illuminates the' almost insuperable difficulties surrounding the question of trade with Russia. It appears that the Supreme Economic Council, meeting in Paris, has not yet agreed as regards the Bolsheviks' guarantees. It is stated that the British are disposed to accept any guarantees which are offered, and also the assurances as regards the existence of Russian goods. The French, however, are sceptical, and point out that the Soviet Republic is a Federation of States; hence there is no proof that goodf- sent by one State will not bo seized by another in transit. Hitherto the Bolsheviks have been unable to give guarantees against chaos prevailing in Russia. Moreover, the Council wants an assurance that neither ships nor cargoes will be seized upon reaching ports. The Krassin Mission has already proved its inability to find a basis of trade in the exchange system; and it is also doubtful whether groups of Russian States will recognise Krassin as a mandatory. Krassin is the only cultured man of the mission ; the others are of inferior social status. The mission is accompanied by a. score of experts i who are not Bolshevists. They are [ mostly officials of the old regime, obj liged to serve the Bolshevik administration to. get a living.