RUPTURE URGED

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 4 March 1927, Page 9

RUPTURE URGED

RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA.

DEBATE IN COMMONS. 8Y CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT Received. 1.17 p.m. to-day. LONDON, March 3. Ou the civil service vote. Sir Archibald Sinclair moved to reduce the Foreign Secretary’s) salary in order to draw attention to Angio-Russian 'relations. He. pointed out that British trade with Russia during the last three years amounted to- £31,000,000, £44,000,000, ~and £38,000,000. respectively. It was impossible to stop propaganda by rebukes or force. The maintenance of triade relations was gradually . and steadily undermining Bolshevism. Russia was producing ial revival, hut the severance of relations would plunge us into isolation. It would ruin a substantial trade and imperil the peace of Europe. Sir Austin Chamberlain, in despatching the Note had been torn between his own better judgment and the dictates of tilie Cbnservatice “diehards.”

In the debate on Russian relations, Sir Robert Horne said he was not ashamed of his own efforts to improve Angio-Russian relations in 1921, hut every hope had failed to materialise.' Be hadi ialways advocated restrain, and opposed a sudden breaking of relations, but how long were we to he patient. The limit of endurance had been reached by Russian agitation against us in China. He added : “In my judgment, much greater injury would accrue to. peace, and the reconstruction _of Europe, by the loss of our 'authority in the councils of the nations than as a result of a breaking-off of AngioRussian relations.” (MinisterialCheers.) Mr. Ramsay MacDonald charged the Conservatives with mischevious subversive propaganda against Russia, though trade agreement were operating. Ministers iand members had gone up and down, the country attacking the Russian Government, and doing everything to hamper trade. Everyone was ever willing to assume Soviet hostility. The Soviet’s reply to the note could notbe left where it was if we listed specific points of complaint, and negotiated with reference thereto. If an agreement advantageous to both countries were not reached, he would admit being more mistaken than he had ever been in his life-time. Sir Austin Chamberlain said previous specific protests had not produced satisfaction. The basis of complaint was not isolated acts of subordinates, but universal disregard of the primary object of a trade agreement. It w,as.a deliberate fermenting of world revolution, and deliberate interference with the internal affairs off other nations. The Soviet was guilty of the very sort of conduct which Mr. MacDonald, when Prime Minister, declared made diplomatic relations impossible. An AngloRu&sian breach must react on other countries. It might have ia most disturbing effect on the European situation. He had, therefore, urged the Government to have patience and forbearance, despite greater provocation than Great Britain had endured from any country, but there were limits beyond which patience could not be carried. (Cheers.) They asked Russia henceforth to pursue a policy conforming itself to the ordinary comity off nations, to abstain from efforts to promote a world revolution, and from interference in our international affairs.

DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS. DANGER OF A BREACH STRESSED Received 2.40 p.m. to-day. LONDON, March 3.

Ip the House of Lords, Lord' Newton drew attention to the Soviet’s reply to the British Note. He expressed the opinion that the breaking off of diplomatic relations and the cancellation of the trade agreement had! been justified l over and over again. Earl Reading said that he saw no advantage in either course. He doubted whether any other country would follow our example. Our hands should be left free for further action .if and when necessary. The Marquis of Salisbury said 1 that the peace and' prosperity of the world depended on Britain’s proper conduct off foreign affairs. She must not, through pique, injured dignity or some triviality, take an action capable of great harm. Viscount Grey said' that every line of Britain’s Note was justified, hut- he doubted the expediency of sending it. The Soviet was only using the Note to imbue tbe Red army with the idea that Britain purposed to attack Russia.. “Our prestige andi reputation would have been better served by silence,” said Viscount Grey. _ “The only way to meet propaganda; is with counter propaAnda. The. Government could not undertake this, hut constitutionally minded and trade unionists, who were the people immediately attacked by the Soviet, ought to' do so.”

CONTINUATION OF COMMONS DEBATE. Received 3 n.m. to-day. Sir Austen Chamberlain said that a verbal acceptance would not be enough. Acts must show whether there was going to be a redress of a long series of outrages. The Government reserved the right to judge the expediency and the time: for any further steps. “We thought it right to take the world to witness the serious nature of our complaints and to give the Soviet another opportunitv to conform with the ordinary rules of international life and conduct.” Mr L'.ovd George con deni lied the Ministers’ speeches against a Government with which we had official relations. An attempt should have lieen made by the representatives of both countries to-solve' the difficulties. This might not mean a new agreement, but it might moan a new spirit. Commander Oliver Locker Lampson said that Britain’s Note belonged to a long brood of brothers, all of whom wore kstillbom. It announced to' the world the degree of humiliation the Empire was readv to swallow lying down. The Soviet’s reply, which did not contain an apology or. contrition, was .an amalgamation of insult, evasion and 'further humiliation lie advocated the “big stick and the bigger hoot for the anthopoid apes o fthe Bolshevik j ungle. ’ ’ Mr. P. Snowden said that an AngloRussiian breach would onlv eneourago Communist propagada, which he detested. Let Sir Austin Chamberlain try to open a new chapter of AngloRussian relations. Russia, would he reasonable because without outside heln Russian economic system would break down. The motion was defeated by 271 to 146.