BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Marlborough Express, Volume LIV, Issue 129, 3 June 1920, Page 5

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

AIiLTE3>, POLICY ON BLACK SEaV

ARMY OF. OCCUPATION EX- •,. • . PENSE3,— • '

f Pbesb Association:]

,(Avs. •■ anrf N.Z Assn j»tk» Renter.)

' (Received .Juno 3, 9.50 a.m;) ;iX>NDpN, June 2. In .-the Hpuse of '; Commons,, Mr Jjong stated that British warships were protecting, the sea communiea'■tdbn in the , Crimea^ until aiv a'rmistico avas arranged; * between General "Wrangel's army and; Soviet Russia. jNegotia-tbris in this connection would begin shortly; -The- warships were intended to prevent a, Bolshevist at~ along .the Black Sea coast and ■j!th3>'va>xd to Batoum anci to support (the • garrison at Batoum. Mr. ,-Lor.g denied that Britain was ■jit war with Soviet Russia!' The Admiralty was strictly can-ying out tho laid down by i!u> Prime Minister in .the -House oi: Cejmmons and was only .taking ordinary oreria-ution-■ai-y measures in the Black Sea, •necessitated by the policy of the Allies.

Replying/ to Sir W. H. Bavison regarding the amount paid by Germany m connection with tho army of Mr Baldwin said that approximately £4,000,000 ..had* liitherto been paid in local currency •JVor the us© of the occupying forces. The baiinco of the British claim to March 3Hst -approximated:' £45,000,----tfXH), to which it 'was ;estimated ;C2,750.000 would bo added in re:speet to the rest c(f 1920421. The .question of payment rested Avith the Reparations 'Cu"nnnss:on.