NOTE TO RUSSIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 February 1927, Page 5

NOTE TO RUSSIA

MOSCOW PRESS COMMENT.

(Australian & N.Z. Cable AesnJ

MOSCOW, February 24.. The lull text of the British Note is now published here. The paper “Izvestia,” in an editorial, says: “The British Note misses its mark. It contains no specific charges which could, justify either its presentation, or its threat of the abrogation of the trade agreement, or even the severance of the ordinary dfrplomafcijc Tel;asons. The . main charges against the Soviet Government made during the past few months in the Conservative Press, such as the alleged support by the Soviet Government of the British miners’ strike, and the alleged infringement by the Soviet Union of British interests in China, are not reflected in the Noto, which, this time, does not. repeat, the accusations contained in the memorandum of the British Government last summer. Regarding the charges against the politicians of tho*Soviet Union of calling for a world revolution, and the charges against M. Bukhrain and M. Voroshilov of making statements abusing Britain, the Soviet Government has. never given any undertaking to anybody to prevent. Russian citizens, whether private or members of the Government, from voicing in their speeches their firm belief in an inevitable world revolution when such utterances are made on Soviet territory. It may be asked what does the British Government say about Mr Winston Churchill’s speech in Rome when he openly called for the overthrow of the Soviet regime?”

The “Izvestia” also cites extracts from the speeches of Lord Birkenhead and Mr Churchill, and it proceeds: “It is the Soviet Union that can speak of systematic abuse by the British politicians!” • Pointing out what it calls “the unfoundedness and intolerable tone of the Note,” the paper says: “If this Note reflects a concession to the ‘diehards,’ this circumstance would explain its origin ; but it would not. justify the sense of its presentation I”

DEPRESSION AT EMBASSY

LONDON, February 25

From diplomatic quarters in touch with the Soviet Embassy in London, the “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent understands that the Russian feeling is one of acute depression at the vigorous tone of the British Note. This is, however, tempered by the thought that things might have gone worse for the Soviet Government, for until this Note had been received, the Soviet Embassy staff in London was not sure that an immediate severance of diplomatic relations would not be the decision of the British Government.

Mr Hodgson, the British Charge d’Affaires at Moscow, who is at present in London, may.not return to his post until the repercussions of the Note are visible.

The Soviet alarm is being shown by the manner in which moneys standing to its credit, or to that of its London agents, has been withdrawn from the London banks. These Russian withdrawals are said, in financial circles, to amount, to some £2,500,0000. SUBSIDISED COMMUNISTS. LONDON, ,24. In the House of Commons, Sir W. Joynson-Hicks. in answer to a question, said that he was keeping a close eye on the activities of certain Communist agitators in Britain, who were paid by the Third International, and, if necessary, he wo.uld seek further powers to deal with them.