RED INVADERS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 27 October 1924, Page 5

RED INVADERS

PLANS FOR REVOLUTION. A TELL-TALE LETTER. BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S ACTION. BY CABLE-PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT; (Received Oct. 27, 11.45 a.m.) Tha F • k? ND(>N > Oct. 25. Iffie Foreign Office has issued the text of a letter it addressed to the Russian Charge d’Affaires, drawing attention to a letter which Zinovieff, President of the executive committee of the Communist International addressed to .the central committee <>f the British Communist Party, containing instructions to work for the violent overthrow of existing institutions in Britain, and the subversion of His Majesty’s armed forces as a means to that end. The Foreign Office informs Zinovieff that the British Government cannot allow this propaganda, and must regard it as a direct interference in British domestic affairs. It says : “No one who understands the constitution and relationships of the Oommunist International will doubt its intimate connection with the Soviet Government. Sueli conduct is not only a grave departure from the rules of international comity, but a violation of specific solemn undertakings repeatedly given.” The Foreign Office cites an agreement of June 4, 1923, relative to propaganda, and points out time the treaty recently concluded made still further provision for the faithful execution of analogous undertakings. The Government demands that this shall lie carried out in letter and spirit, and it cannot accept the contention that whilst the Soviet Government undertakes obligations, a political body as powerful as itself is to be allowed to conduct propaganda, and support it with money, which.is in direct violation of the official agreement. 'The Soviet Government either has or ha« not power to make such arrangements. If it has the power, it is its duty to carry them out and see that other parties are not deceived. If it has not this power, and if the- responsibilities -which belong to the State in other countries are in Bussia in the keeping of private irresponsible bodies, the Soviet Governments ought not to make agreements which it knows it cannot carry out. Finally, the Foreign Office requests observations of the Soviet Government, on the matter without delay. The letter is signed, in the absence of the Secretary of State, by J. D. Gregory. The Daily Express interviewed R’akovsky, who declared that Zinovieff's letter is an amusing forgery. He denied that it emanated from the Communist International headquarters, adding, “I have no idea who wrote it. It is a great election manoeuvre on the eve of polling. The contents do not conform to the Communist International tactics. The Soviet • Government cannot be made responsible for the action of the executive of the Communist International. I am surprised thak the Foreign Office has not waited for a reply from us before giving the alleged communication publicity.” Mr. Irtkpen, secretary to the Communist Party in Britain, denies that the party received Zinovieff’s letter. He expresses the opinion that the document is a complete forgery. A similar statement was issued ' by Rakovsky's secretary.