THE LIE DIRECT.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 1638, 17 September 1920, Page 5

THE LIE DIRECT.

KAMENEFF’S STORY DISCREDITED.

“DALLY HERALD” AND RUSSIAN JEWELS.

[By Electric Cable —Copyright.] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Thursday, 7.15 p.m.) LONDON, September 15.

Further light is thrown on the i ealisation of the Russian jewels in England by a statement published from Downing Street giving the he direct to several assertions made by Karaeneff. The Government says that it has evidence that Kameneff was actively 7 concerned in the realisation of the jewels, and informed the Soviet that £40,000 worth had been sold and the proceeds handed to the “Daily Herald.” Furthermore, it is reported that he was taking steps to procure a further £60,000, partly from jewels, whereof an additional £IO,OOO would Jbe paid to the “Daily Herald.” Referring to Kameneff’s denial that he ©ver offered the “Daily Herald” a subsidy, and the latter’s denial that it had received a sou, the Government states that it has evidence flatly contradicting both statements.

The Government reviewing the •“‘Daily Herald’s” denials on the subject, says it has evidence that Edgar Lansbury, the sub-editor, had received a part of the notes given for the jewels at the time the “Herald” encouraged an affirmative reply* to Its question: “Shall we take £75,000 of Russian money?” The Government savs it permits itself to doubt whether the "Daily Herald” would have taken the public into its confidence in this connection, but for the fact that it was aware that Edgar Lansbury had been invited by the police to explain how he came to possess some notes formins a, ot -clxe price realised by the sale ot the jewels. The statement proceeds to point out that Kameneff makes no attempt to deny that he deliberately altered the terras of the despatch from the Soviet containing the Polish armistice conditions to the effect they would insist on arming the Polish •workers under the control of representatives of the trade unions of Russia, Poland and Norway. The Government asserts that Kameneff concealed the Soviet intentions under the apparently harmless phrase of “civil militia.” A remarkable feature of the disclosures is the excellence of the Government’s investigatory agencies, which enabled it to keep closely informed of the whereabouts of the jewels, to whom they were sold; how the particulars of the notes were give.*>. and the payment traced through various hands; and secret contents of the Soviet Government’s messages to the delegation in .England. The board of directors of <.ae "Dailv Herald” have declined the offer of £75,000 mentioned on the 10th, and accepted the resignation from the board of Mr Meynell, who negotiated the offer. Other directors adopted the resolution, declaring that they had no knowledge of the offer.