BRITAIN AND RUSSIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 June 1926, Page 5

BRITAIN AND RUSSIA

MR. CHURCHILL’S PLAIN WORDS

‘‘THESE MISCREANTS.”

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association). (By Cable—Press Assn.—Copyright.)

>, (Jleceived, 10 a.m.) , LONDON, June 20, Mr. Churchill did riot mince -words in his reference to the Russian government, m a speech at Alexander l,n the course of a discussion on 'the British strike troubles, he said : “The Russian Bolsheviks (wponi he describes as “these miscreants’.*)' ’’ ’hajd ( i';ruineu ? their own country, but were powerless to ruin ours. They "thought the sam'e. sort of stuff with which . they bairn boozled the Moujiks, would suit Britain. ‘ The mopey sent for the miners, at. the instance of the Russian Government, was very trifling compared 'with what the 'Russians had; stolen from us. That' the Uniteci States’ policy to Riis-

.<a„ ie . y sia was the right one, was ..proved; by the fact that‘'without in" the‘slightest" countenancing feolsheyik principles, .they had done more trade with Russia than we had. ' In view, however; of, the traditional continuity of' British foreign policy* vfe had., decided, that the present was not the time for .a rupture of relations. The situation was precarious and was being, vigilantly patched. ’’

He added a warning to people lendr ing money to Russia that they must understand the British Treasury would in ho circumstances accept, responsibility if they were' defrauded. . If, the Government found it necessary to expel Soviet agents, no claim ior losses would he entertained by the Treasury. He advised traders with Russia to get payment, or full security' before their goods left the country. MR. MACDONALD’S DEFENCE. 1 / LONDON, June 20. Even a more forceful speech than Mr. Churchill’s anent Russia, was uttered; by Lord. Birkenhead, at Luton. He declared; “We clearly know that the funds .supplied to the British min-, ers came from the Russian Goverh’m'ent, and know the motive which led the Russian Government to send them,’.’, adding: “Unless we observe signs of a change, it would be necessary. ,to decide whether we would, be well advised to retain any degree of. association with a country whose avowed purpose all over the world is to undermine the historical greatness of Britain.”

Mr. R. MacDonald, speaking in Lon don, described the Government attitude as one of the meanest and most contemptible stunts. He said that the Russian Trade. Unions subscribed handsomely in aid of women and children, but people whose minds were haunted, by ghosts, said the Russian Government was do•ing it because it had. sworn to overturn the British Government. UNIONISTS’ DEMAND. LONDON, June 18. Eleven Unionists, headed by Mr. Locker Lampson, handed in a motion in the House of Commons, which reads“ That this House condemns the subversive political activities in this country:of Soviet organisations admitted for the purposes of trade, and is of oninion that the trade agreement with the Soviet ought to be terminated.”

The motion will be debated on June ■25. ( _ COAL STRIKE LOSSES. ' LONDON, June 19. The nation’s wealth is being depleted beyond precedent, declared Mr. P. J. Hannon, M.P., who is Chairman of the .Conservative Parliamentary Industrialists, when speaking in Birmingham. He estimated the country’s loss as the result of the coal stoppage at eight millions sterling per day at present. “If the stoppage lasts another fortnight,’’ Mr. Hannon said, in conclusion, “the loss will be ten- millions daily.” The Daily Mail says : The Government introduces its Eight Hour Coal Mines Shift Bill bn Monday. The second reading takes place on Wednesday. The Government is aiming at its passage within ten days, although the Labourites are demanding more time for its discussion. The Cabinet has decided that the Bill shall extend over a period of five years. ROUMANIA AND POLAND. VIENNA, June 1,9. A surprise announcement was made at a conference of the Little Entente /Powers to ■ the effect that Roumania hak concluded a treaty of defence with Poland for their mutual protection on the Polish frontier, and on the Bessarabian border, against Soviet aggression. The Czech and, Jugo-Slavia Ministers declared that they took cognisance of the treaty, but they reserved their judgment in the matter.