IS IT A FORGERY?

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 145, 16 December 1924, Page 7

IS IT A FORGERY?

THE ZINOVIEFF DOCUMENT

SENSATION ON EVE OF

ELECTION

FOREIGN OFFICE PROTEST.

(FROM OUU.OWX CORRESPONDENT.)

LONDON, 30th October.

Never'on the eve of a General Election has there' been such a strange disclosure as the Zinovieff letter, a document which is destined toH>ecome historical. Similar letters, of course; from Soviet Russia liave entered. England before,, but the circumstances have never been so dramatic. If in the end it should turn out to be a.forgery it will have even a greater chance of being remembered perhaps in the same category with the Gunpowder Plot. •,-■'•■•• . .

Parliament was dissolved and the members of the Labour' Party went to the country, with the Russian - Treaty, and alleged consequent dimunition of unemployment as their chief-election cryJ During the last ten days Mr. Mac Donald lias made several references to Soviet Russia and to Bolshevism. "If you want to frighten all the.old ladies .of both sexes;" he said,"all-you have to do is to gut on a Red sheet and shout 'Bolshy!' " And . again.:. "The simple,. straight-forward truth is that : first of all the. Russian Treaty is to make. for.peace, agreement, and understanding." Oh-17th' October he said:" "There'is not'a "single person who can now sit at. the Foreign-Office without finding out the folly of the policy we pursued with reference to Russia before Labour came into office. We makea.present to you of a.Russia.: begin-, living to understand us and to co-operate ■with, us." .. v ' '"■ '-

Even on 24th October, the day before the. Foreign Office published the letter, Mr. MacDonald;-is reported as having said: "I have,no doubt that Russia will carry out the treaties we have with her.".

' The.Government attached the greatest importance, to the propaganda clauses embodied in the Russian treaty. In his speech "at Derby last month the Prime Minister twitted his opponents because, in their, negotiations with the Bolsheviks, they-had neVer been able to stop propaganda. He quoted .with pride the paragraphs in the Treaty which concern propaganda, and added :'"You have never had that before. Why do they not refer to that as.part of the nursery diplomacy embodied in this General Treaty?" Miv Ponsonby, too, .took the line that the Bolsheviks were _ men with ' whom this counti-y could enter into honourable- negotiations, and went so. far as to declare that "the greater part of the , opposition to the treaties-comes from the ingrained prejudice against the Bolsheviks, which is fostered by^ White Russian influence and propaganda." The 'Government was determined to stand or fall by this agreement. "-' * .... ". . -

Por some .days beforethe document was published it was hinted:that revelations ..of startling character were about.to be" published in'the Press. Some houra Before the Foreign' Office issued "Zinoviefi's memorandum, a ; ntfmber of the leading papers received froirj ithe #aDaJly.;:.Mail: a copy of'the]'sam'd;'niem6randuin which' that journal had received . from "its own sources of information. The inference' that has naturally'been' drawn is that the Prime Minister" authorised the Foreign .Office'to publish the'"document, .and the 'letter of protest "with the. obvious 'intention, of minimising their own 'folly and culpability." •' :. '" .''■' . •' ;,. TEXT OF THE.-LETTER. Zinovieff's letter,., which :is dated "15th . September, begins:' ••.•■. "jpear Comrades,—The time is approaching for the Parliament of England 10 consider the Treaty concluded between the Government of. Great' Britain and the S.S.S.R. for the purpose of'ratification. The fierce campaign raised by "the •British, bourgeoisie around t-He questionshows that-the-majority of the same, together with reactionary circles, are . against the Treaty for the' purpose' of breaking off an agreement consolidating , the ties between the proletariats of the two countries leading- to the; restoration, of normal relations between England and the S.S.S.R. . ' .... „ ''The proletariat of, Great ' Britain, which pronounced its weighty word when danger threatened of a break-off of the' past negotiations, and compelled the Government of Mac Donald to-conclude the Treaty, must-show the greatest possible, energy, in the; further struggle forratification and against the endeavours ■ of British capitalists, to. compel Parliament to -annul it." • After certain instructions regarding the necessity- of bringing increased pressure to.bear upon the Government in favour of the Russian Treaty, the letter proceeds: "A settlement 'of relations between the two countries will assist in the revolutionising of the international and British proletariat not less, than: sue-' cessful rising in any of the working dis-' tricts. of. England, as the . establishment of close contact between the British and Russian proletariat, the exchange of delegations, and workers, etc., will make it ppssible for us to extend and" develop the 'propaganda of ideas of Leninism in England and the colonies. " "Armed warfare must be preceded by a struggle -against the inclinations to compromise which are embedded among the majority of British workmen, against the ideas of evolution and peaceful extermination of. Capitalism; Only then -will it be possible to count upon complete success of an armed insurrection. In Ireland and the colonies the case is different; there there"' is r a national ques-' . tion. and this represents too great a factor for success for,us to" waste time on a prolonged preparation of the working . class." .. .: Agitation-propaganda, work 'in the - Army and rvavy is referred to. "It would be desirable," it-is, stated, "to ■have cells in all the units of the troops, particularly among; those . quartered in . the large centres of the country and also among factories working on munitions and at military store depots. We request .that, the most particular attention . be paid to- these latter. .'■-.. "Li the event of danger of war, with the aid of.the latter.and in cpntact withthe transport workers,, it is possible to paralyse all the military preparation of I the bourgeoisie and make .a. start in I turning an imperialist war into-a-class' war." • _ . ' ■ , ■ Certain-slogans are suggested. " 'Danger of War,' 'The Bourgeoisie seeks War, Capital Fresh Markets'—these are the slogans which you must familiarise the' masses -with, with which you must go to work into the mass of the proletariat. These slogans will open to you the doors of comprehension of the -masses, will help you to capture them and.march under the'banner of Communism. ' THE. BRITISH RED ARMY. * I "The military section of the British I . Communist Party,, so far as we are! aware, further suffers' from a lack of spec- I

After certain instructions regarding the necessity- of bringing increased pressure to.bear upon the Government in favour of the Russian Treaty, the letter proceeds: "A settlement of relations between the two countries will assist in the revolutionising of the international and British proletariat not less, than: a* successful rising in any of the working districts, of. England, as the . establishment of close contact between the British and Russian proletariat, the exchange of delegations, and workers, etc., will make it ppssible for us to extend and" develop the 'propaganda of ideas of Leninism in England and the colonies.

"Armed warfare must be preceded by a struggle -against the inclinations to compromise which are embedded among the majority of British workmen, against the ideas of evolution and peaceful extermination of. Capitalism; Only then -will it be possible to count upon complete success of an armed insurrection. In Ireland and the colonies the case is different; there there ' is r a national ques-' tion. and this represents too great a factor for success for,us to" waste time on a prolonged preparation of the working class." .. .:

Agitation-propaganda, work 'in the Army and Navy is referred to. "It would be desirable," it-is, stated, "to have cells in all the units of the troops, particularly among; those . quartered in the large centres of the country and also among factories working on munitions and at military store depots. We request .that, the most particular attention be paid to- these latter. .'■•..

"Li the event of danger of war, with the aid of.the latter.and in cpntact with the transport workers,, it is possible to paralyse all the military preparation of the bourgeoisie and make .a. start in turning an imperialist war into a class war.". ' ' , ■ .'

Certain.slogans are suggested. " 'Danger of War,' 'The Bourgeoisie seeks War, Capital Fresh Markets'—these are the slogans which you must familiarise the' masses -with, with which you must go to work into the mass of the proletariat. These slogans will open to you the doors of comprehension of the masses, will help you to capture them and.march under the'banner of Communism. : THE. BRITISH BED ARMY. * "The military section of the British . Communist Party,, so far as we are. aware, further suffers' from a lack of specialists, ■ the future directors of the British Red Army. .It is time you thought , offorming such a group, which,/together , with- the leaders, might be, in the event of an outbreak of active strife, the brain of £he military organisation, of tho party t

-. "Go attentively through'■• the lists of the. military 'cells,' detailing from them the more energetic arid capable men, turn attention to the more talented military specialists who have, for one reason or another, left the service, and hold Socialist -views. Attract, them into the. ranks of the' Communist Party if they desire honestly to serve the proletariat, and desire in the future to direct not the blind mechanical forces in the service of the bourgeoisie but a national army. Form a directing operative head of the military section. Do not put this off to a.-'future moment; which may be pregnant with events and catch you unprepared." ' : ■ „ .

■ The : letter/ which is addt;essed to; the Central Committee of the British. Communists, is signed by Zinovieff in his capacity of President of the Presitium of. the I. X.X.1., and by M'Manus, a member, and the secretary, Kuusinen. ■ : FOREIGN OFFICE PROTEST. .'. The Foreign Office letter of protest published at the same time contains the following paragraphs: "It is my duty to inform you that His Majesty's Government cannot allow this propaganda and must regard it as a direct interference from outEtle in British' domestic affairs. "No one who understands the constitution and the relationships of the Communist International will doubt its intimate connection and contact with the Soviet Government. . No government will ever tolerate an arrangemeni with a foreign Government by which the' latter is in formal diplomatic relations of a correct kind with it, whilst at the same time a propagandist body organically connected with that, foreign Government encourages, and even ■ orders, subjects of the former to plot and plan revolutions for its overthrow. Such conduct is not only a grave departure7 from .the rules of international comity, but a violation of specific and solemn undertakings repeatedly .given to His Majesty's Government." "WITHOUT DELAY/ Solemn agreements entered into by the Soviet Government not. to' foment - • rebellion or spread discontent in the British, Empire are .then quoted. "His.. Majesty!s Government," the protest proceeds, "mean that these un- ■ dertakings shalK.be carried out both, in the letter and it} the spirit, and- it con- . not accept the-? contention that whilst the Soviet Government undertakes obligations,, a political body, as powerful as itself, is to be allowed to conduct a. propaganda and support it with money', which is in direct violation of the official agreement. The Soviet Government either has or has not.the power to make such agreements. If it has the power it"" is its . duty to carry them out, and see" that the other parties are not deceived. If it has not this power, and if responsibilities which belong to the State in other countries are in Russia in the keeping of private and irresponsible bodies, the Soviet ■; Government, ought not to make agreements which it knows it cannot carry out. "I should be obliged if you would be good .'enough to let me,have the observations of your Government on this subject without delay." • The protest is signed "J. D. Gregory (in the absence of the Secretary of State)." 'v '•'''■■ !-" ■• » Mr. "Ramsay' Mac Donald remained silent concerning the publication of the documents over the week-end, but on the Monday he made a definite state,ment. In the- meantime, however; : „ every „ other. .Conservative' and '■-. Lib era!.' • speaker had something damaging to say, for it was evident that if Ziriovieff's ' document was genuine, the Prime Minister had killed the Russian Treaty. If the document,-, proved to Ibe -a 'forgery' Alien Mr: Mac Donald had killed himself as,the Socialist leader. Will his/fbl-.'"- . lowers forgive him, it was asked, for , launching his attack on Russia based on a. forged document,, on the ivery eve of an election? .-■•■. . . ■ Amongst- other things it has been stated that, when the Government were obstinately refusing an inquiry into the Campbell" case they had before them-in-formation as to the~ ratifications of alleged Communist activity .in this country far more serious than the House uf Commons or the country knew, or was' ■ .'allowed to know. ..... ': MR. MACDONALD'SEXPLANA.- ---:• ■■■-,■, tion. . ■■■ In a speech, at Cardiff Mr. Mac Don, aid challenged this statement, and gave his version of the mystery, document. "The Government," he said, "was defeated oil Bth" October on the Campbell, case. This letter, this Red letter, did not find its way into,the Foreign Office until the 10th, two days after the defeat on the Campbell case. \ It' was not put into the Department until the .14th. ' It was sent "to me in Manches- : tei- on the 15th. I received it on the 16th. : On the morning of the 16th I minuted that, the greatest care would have to be takenin discovering whether the letter was authentic or not. If it 1 was authentic, it had to be published at once, and in the meantime, while .in-, ■vestigations were going on to discover-the-authenticity of the latter,.the-,draft ' letter, to Rakowsky would be preparad, ■„ so that when the authenticity was estab- . lished no time would be lost in-making our protest to the Soviet Government- ■ \ "That minute of mine was received in ; the Department on. the 17th." On the 21st the drnft—the trial draft—!-was sent' 1 to me at'Aberavon for my observations. 1 I did not receive it until the 23rd. On ••'■ the morning of the 24th. I looked at the draft. I altered it,, and cent it back in an altered form, expecting it to come ' backto me again with proofs of auth--1 enticity, but that' night it was pub- ' lished. '.•'.■' ■ .- . I FOREIGN OFFICIAL'S ACTION. 1 "The Foreign Office and every official in it know my views about propaganda. ■ The Foreign Office and every one of my colleagues "in the Government know that I will not tolerate this, propaganda. They \ all know that as soon as I get anything ' that is authentic, anything that istrustworthy, Twill communicate it to the '■ public without delay, so that you mrfy ' know. On account of my known de--1 termination to stand firm by agreements 1 and to treat them as Holy Writ when 'my signature has. been attached to 1 them, they assumed that they were 5 carrying out my wishes in taking mi'- ' med.iate steps to publish' the whole 1 affair. They honestly believed that the'document was authentic, and upon 1 that belief they acted. If;they acted' ':. too precipitately, what is the accusation I against us? -.; . •.'■■, 1 "It came to my, knowledge on the 1 Saturday for the first time," Mr. Mac- . Donald went on to say, "that a certain London morning newspaper, notorious • for its false news and especially a false i contents bill, had a copy of this Zino- '■ .vieff letter, and was going to spring it >' upon us on Saturday and Sunday, arid' 1 I understand that- it.is priding itself on ■ that, because it was going to do this : and force our hands. Well, I have told . you the dates. Friday was the 24th. I I minuted publicity on the .-16 th. The 16th is earlier than the. 24th, and I am sorry to deprive that newspaper of any glory or credit in the matter at all. But i how did it -come to have a copy of that !, letter ? Now I am going to prove this ■ story to its roots.

"I have not .seen the evidence yet. All I say is- this, that it is a most suspicious circumstances that a certain newspaper and Ihfe headquarters of the Conservative Association .seem to have had copies of it at && eamo time c*

the Foreign Office, and if that is true, how can I, a simple-minded, honest person,, who put two and" two together, avoid the suspicion—I .will not ,say the conclusion—that the whole thin" is a political plot?" . '„

A RUSSIAN _DENIAL.

According to M. Rakowsky, the Russia Charge d'Affaires in London, the document is a forgery.

. "I have- received telegrams from almost every centre in other countries affected by the situation in Great Britain," he said in an interview. "Amon" these there is a telegram from Zinovieff himself, the alleged author of the document, in which ho confirms categorically ■that every' word'l have said is ri^ht. In my first Note, which I sent to the British Government, I declared that it was the duty ; of the British Government to make a strong inquiry regarding the origin of this intrigue. I cannot hide from myself that the situation created through this intrigue is extremely grave and now we. expect the British Government to take steps to make a decision on the assumption thai it is false. It is.our turn to receive satisfaction.

■ "There ,is no doubt at all about the falsity of the document. I am not able to give any. indication where it originated, although I may have a supposi•tipn of my own. I cannot speak officially of the origin. \ I am sure that the Government: are themselves interested to see this unpleasant situation cleared up. It is impossible that the good relations of two great countries are dependeniiig on the caprice of a forger." With this strange political sensation clouding the horizon the electors went to the polls." ' - .