UTMOST DANGER

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11913, 6 April 1933, Page 5

UTMOST DANGER

POSITION IN RUSSIA..- ; AMBASSADOR’S OPINION./.::/. WHITE PAPER RKVEALS, ; - OFFICIAL eORRiLSPONDENCE.' ACCUSATIONS AGAINST vicNEftS STAFF. // LITVINOPF’S DEFIANCE. (U.P.A. hy Elqc. Tel- OoojfiglitO (Rec. April 5, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 4. A White Paper issued covered .correspondence from March 32 to-March 17, between Sir E. Ovey and Sir J-. Simon or Sir R. VahsittarK .

it begins by detailing the arrest of Mr. Monkhou.se, who Was called'upon to make a complete confession, and was told that he would be treated as a criminal if he refused. Air. Monkhouse explained that he visited England regularly to inform his company of the state of business' in Russia. His accusers retorted that this amounted to espionage.

The accusers also produced a list of 25 Vickers turbines which had given trouble. Air. Atonkhouse pointed out that mistakes had been made.bnt said that the fault partly lay with the Russians. It was natural that there should be occasional mishaps. In any case the company had done its best to repair them rapidly. The Ambassador added that-it- was inconceivable that the Soviet Government should produce credible evidence of criminal malpractice on the part of Metropolitan A'ickers. The Ogpu on Afarch 12 issued a communique stating that 35 officials accused of agricultural sabotage the day before, and condemned to death were shot. Sir R. Vausit-tari telepraphed Sir E. Ovey.— _• “You doubtless emphasised to AL Litvinoff the impossible position of Anglo-Soviet relations if British sub jects were used for spectacular treason trials staged for the reasons of internal politics. Sir E. Ovey replied on Afarch 14:— “I have seen the prisoners. AH are obviously terrified, and they confined themselves to minimum replies. Their obseqiousness created an uncanny impression upon me, the interviews being in the presence of four officials.”

The Ambassador on Afarch 15 telegraphed to Sir John Simon:—

“The principal danger of the situation is that these people are com pletoly unable to see themselves in any other light than that of an aggrieved power struggling for nolle ideals against world political, financial and commercial conspirators. I understand that Russia owes Afetropolitan A T iokers 500.000 in addition to five years’ tecnnical aid contracts, each of £30,000. I strongly deprecate any panicky flight by the A’ickers people from Russia, which will enable Russia to contend that Afetropolitan Vickers failed io carry out their contracts, and withhold the monies indefinitely/’

Sir E. Ovey added that before leaving lie. expressed personal hitter disappointment- at this <3p!ibevate sabotage of the Anglo-Russian relations.”

M. Litvmof accused Sir E. Ovey of exaggeration and replied that the Ogpu were not fools, and knew whatthey were doing. Sir E. Ovey replied that if M. Litvinoff thought- that he was speaking with greater frankness than would he used in London he was entirely mistaken. The situation, he said was fraught, with the utmost danger.

Sir R. Vansittart telegraphed to Sir E. Ovey on March 17, entirely approving of his action. Cabinet will consider further action.

OUT ON BAIL VICKERS’ ENGINEERS RELEASED TIRED BUT CHEERFUL ifI.P.A hv Elec. Tel Copyright.} MOSCOW, April 4. Messrs W. H. Thornton, John Cushy, and Gregory, Vickers’ engineers, have been granted bail in the sum o£ 55,000 roubles. Mr W - H. MacDonald is still detained.

Before their release, the men had the indictments read to them and entered a general denial. . It is understood that each was unaware of the presence of tho others in gaol, where they were met at the gates by Air Alonkhouse. After telephoning and telegraphing tp their families in England, they .went to the Embassy, where they dined. Seen there by the press representatives. questions .were not permittedAH looked tired, hut cheerful. (O.R.A. hy Elec. Tet. Copyright) (Rec. April 5, 7 p.m.). . AfOSCOW, April 5. Tho members of the Vickers staff who were bailed: out will live in their homes under a pledge to remain in Moscow until the trial. BRITISH BARRISTER LEAVIXO FOR AIOSCOW (U.P A. by Elec. Tel- Copyrigh.fcU (Received April 5, 11 p-m.) LONDON. April 5 Mr Robert Turner* a member of tho. Aletro Vickers; firm, pf solicitors, will attend, the trial pf tho .arrested members 0f... Vickers ,st?iffv He 'does not\ speak Russian,.-but will .get in touch with a member, of the Riissiar 1 . bar. ' * Z-,,.'.. *'• ,