COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 March 1930, Page 5

COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES

QUESTIONS IN COMMONS

ANTI-BRITISH PROPAGANDA •

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received March. 11, 11.30 a.m.)

RUGBY, March 10.

A series of questions were put to Mr A. Henderson (Foreign Secretary) in the House of Commons, regarding the announcement made by the Presidium of the Third International in Moscow, that instructions had been issued to its agents to organise strikes and riots in Great Britain, and the British Dominions and Colonies. One member asked whether the Foreign Secretary’s attention had been called to the fact that last Thursday’s unemployment demonstrations in this country were organised by the Communist Party, on representations from Moscow.

Mr Henderson, replying to the questions, said he had no doubt that the Communist International were at pains to produce the manifestations of last Thursday in this country, but in view of the exceedingly feeble response to its efforts, he trusted that no undue alarm would be felt in any quarter of the House. As he had previously explained, the Government would not hesitate to take the House into its confidence should serious caiise foi’ complaints arise, but he would again repeat that they intended in the first instance to be the judges as to gravity or otherwise of particular incidents, and of the action which might be expedient aiid necessary to safeguard the interests of this country. Mr Henderson was asked whether he had now satisfied himself that there was religious persecution in Russia, and whether any action was being taken by the Government in the matter.

He replied from a study of the Soviet Government’s attitude respecting religious associations, he had no doubt it indicated a continuance of anti-religious pressure, which had consistently and for many years past been a notorious feature of Soviet policy. He could not, however, believe that any action which it was open to the Government to take would be calculated to further the cause of religious liberty. WARNING TO SOVIET. BERLIN, March 9. Following the example of Britain, Germany has notified her intention to hold the Bolshevik Government responsible for the activities of the Executive of the Third International. it is understood that Chancellor Curtious informed the Russian Ambassador here that the Government of the Reich now makes no distinction between. the utterances and actions of the Communist International and those of the Russian Government, and that Germany will hold those of the Soviet Government responsible for the utterances and actions of the Communist International.

ALLEGED CONSPIRACY. UKRANIANS ON TRIAL. LONDON, March 9. ' At Kharkov, the trial has commenced of forty-five intellectuals. These include twenty of the most prominent Ukranian scholars and scientists. The charge is that of counterrevolution. The trial is being conducted in the Opera House. It is being staged with a blaze of publicity. ■Tens of thousands are being given the opportunity to see and hear the proceedings, which are being also filmed, and are being wirelessly broadcasted. It is alleged that the forty-five persons charged are ringleaders in a conspiracy to free the Ukraine from the Soviet yoke, this including preparations for an armed revolt in the coming spring and the discussion of plans to assassinate Stalin and Veroshilov; also the receiving of funds for the purpose from Poland and from the Russians in Paris and in Berlin. Serge Yefremov, who is head of the Ukraine Academy of Science, is accused of being the head of the conspirators, using the Academy of Science as headquarters.