BRITAIN & RUSSIA.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1929, Page 5

BRITAIN & RUSSIA.

DIPLOAJ ATIC RELATIONS. RESUMPTION DEBATED. (British Official Wireless). (Received this dav at 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Dec. 4. The resumption of diplomatic relations with Russia was the subject of a debate in the Mouse of Lords initiated by Lord .Birkenhead, who (■•ailed attention to the recent Soviet revolutionary propaganda and invited a statement of policy that the resumption of relations at present was undesirable. Lord Thomson replying said the policy of the Government was to re- - aim normal diplomatic relations with Russia, with the least possible delay and at the same time to safeguard British ■ interests, not only in this country but throughout the world. The Government hoped to contribute to the maintenance of world peace and to expand British trade. It was the Government’s view that relations with the Soviet Government should never have been broken off. The policy of refusing relations, because they could not accept the promises of the Soviet Government, was a policy of despair. It would mean that the present state of affairs would continue (indefinitely. Ambassadors hud not yet been exchanged'' and the pledge regarding propaganda, had not yet been given. The Government had not renounced, and would not renounce their right to take any measure they might think necessary to check foreign subversive propaganda from whatever soiuee it might emanate. Lord Brentford asked whether in face of that declaration if propaganda continued either in Britain or in the Empire, instigated by the Russian Government, their envoy would be sent out again. Lord Thomson replied: “If it is instigated by the Russian Government. most certainly. Lord Birkenhead: “Including third international.” Lord Thomson: “Yes.” Continuing, Lord '1 liomson said: “He did not want to leave the impression that propaganda would cease as if by magic. It could not in the nattire of things .with a body like the Third Tnlbrmttional. Regarding' the - argument- that the relationsshould not be resumed with a country : where' atfodities arid 'e’xbdufb'iyns! had taken place',' lie said the Government did not condone atrocities and regretted executions, hut they believed that a resumption of relations with Russia would tend to diminish the system of - executions and atrocities 1 which still prevailed there. Wo believe that is ini the best interests -<(' our country to resume relations. AVe believe that it is absolutely indispensable for the general peace of the world and that is tlic reason why the Government are undertaking their presnt policy.” Lord Reading (Liberal) approved of the Government's policy as sound and wise and it is in the intersts of real security for universal peace. He would have preferred to see an agreenuv.it definitely sotting down the terms of • relations that, were to exist before the exchange of Ambassador's, (but he hoped that when the conditions were laid down they would be ms definite and precise as possible. The Archbishop of Canterbury, drew attention to the attitude of the Soviet Government towards Christianity and all forms of religion, but he had received information that theie was now a cessation of the more flagrant violations of the elementary principles of justice. He believed there would be a greater chance o securing some alleviation of the difu- rent position of religious people in Russia, if representations could be made ’through ordinary diplomaticmeans to the Soviet Government. QUESTION IN COMMONS. (Received this day at 12.25. p.m.l LONDON, Dec. 4. In the Commons asked whether the Commonwealth had intimated tle conditions an which it would agree to the Government’s policy towards Russia, Air William Benn said he had heard nothing of the Commonwealth’s attitude. In general the Dominions had been kept fully informed of everything done and had not dissented.