SOVIET TAKES ALARM

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 79, 30 September 1924, Page 7

SOVIET TAKES ALARM

IMPORTANT CONDITION REALISED PROHIBITION OF PROPAGANDA. (UNITED PRES3 ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.) (SIDNEY SUN CABLE.) RIGA, 28th September. The Soviet leaders, the official Press, and Communists generally .are now expressing .fears that the Anglo-Soviet Treaty is full of grave dangers for the Soviet, and that it is therefore necessary most carefully to consider whether its ratification is really expedient. They particularly object to the sixteenth paragraph, dealing with anti-British propaganda. The "Pravda" says: "This paragraph deprives the Soviet Government of its only weapon against British Imperialism, because it prohibits our educational work among the enslaved nations. For such a far-reaching sacrifice the Soviet jnust demand substantial compensation from Britain." Indicating the nature of tills compensation, tile "Pravda" declares that Britain must definitely guarantee to cease participation, even indirectly, in supplying the Soviet's neighbours, especially Poland and Rumania/ with either money or munitions. "Britain's mere expressed intention to abstain from such hostile acts will not do," adds the newspaper. "It must be supported by concrete measures, otherwise it cannot be considered as equivalent to the sacrifice demanded from us." Soviet legislators are urged to weigh these considerations carefully, and to approach the question of ratification warily.