BRITAIN AND RUSSIA

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 24, 28 July 1922, Page 7

BRITAIN AND RUSSIA

MUTUAL RESPONSIBILITIES

THE PROPERTY RIGHT ISSUE

DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF

COMMONS.

(UNITEK MESS ASSOCIATION.—COPXRKHT.)

(AU3TBALIAN • NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATES.) LONDON, 26th July.

In the House of Commons, Mr: Lloyd George, in Committee of .Supply,, in detailing the work at The Hague Conference, asid there were three conditions essential to an agreement with Russia regarding property—first, Russia's acknowledgment of the right to restoration or compensation; secondly, compensation must be real; thirdly, 'effective machinery must be established to carry out the obligations. The Property Commission had to close the door on Russia's first proposal. The Russians' later offer, although it was not firm, marked a great advance towards acceptance of the obligations.

. Mr. J. R. Olynes pointed out that Sir Philip Lloyd-Grearae had not referred to the compensation due to Russia for her enormous war losses. As long as Britain did not automatically recognise Russia, it was.idle to suggest that she could enter the money market in the ordinary way. .Mr. Lloyd George, replying to the debate, advocated that ..European conferences should continue"'until the ultimate aim of peace was attained. He could not accept the view that European conditions were becoming worse. Compared as a whole with the Europe of three years ago, things were improving. The well which the war had exhausted was gradually being replenished. It was suggested that we were partly responsible, as an ally, for the condition of Russia. We did not drag Russia", and she did not drag us into the war, but Russia had made the first declaration iof war and had fired the first shot. The Allies did their best to repair the deficiencies of the Russian organisation. Britain had acceded to her every request for assistance. Things could not improve in Russia until she fell into line with the civilised world. The Prime Minister stated that.it was idle to mislead Russia on that score. .The greatest achievement at The Hague was the education of Russia as to the realities of the situation.' Russia could not expect to borrow money until she provided security and accepted liability for her wartime loans. If the Soviet accepted liability for providing real compensation for dispossessed property-owners, then it would be time for the diplomatic recognition of Russia.

Sir Godfrey Collins urged that Britain ought to' advance Russia two or three millions through the League of Nations for stamping out cholera and typhus. This would do much towards the reestablishment of trading.' The guillotine ended the debate.