GREATEST BLOW

Northern Advocate, 22 April 1933, Page 7

GREATEST BLOW

ADMINISTERED TO RUSSIA •

DIPLOMATIC SEVERANCE

LANSBURY criticism

DEPORTEES DEPART

(Times Cable.) (Received 0 a.m.) LONDON, April 21

The Riga correspondent of “The Times” says that Britain’s decision to prohibit SO per cent, of Russian imports has sobered the Soviet Government, as it did not imagine Britain would go lo such lengths for the sake of“ “seif-con-fessed wreckers” when Russia, had satisfied British dignity by releasing the other accused men.

The greatest blow to Russia is the cessation of diplomatic immunity for its trade delegation in London. This, says the correspondent, was regarded as one of the Soviet’s greatest diplomatic accomplishments, and Moscow did not realise what the result of the lapse of the trade agreement would be.

“Russia has not been treated as a foreign state, but it is being bullied into subjection,” declared Air George Lansbnry, loader of the Labour Party, in a speech at Retford. “I hope the working-class Soviet. Government will prove superior to the British capitalist Government and send the men home to demonstrate that they are not seeking revenge. ’ ’ Messrs Monkhonse, Cushny and Nordwall, the deported British engineers, left Aloseow last evening. Nordwnll was accompanied by his wife.. Alombors of the Embassy staff ..and many foreign journalists bade them, farewell.

INTERESTING RUMOUR

PRISONERS TO BE RELEASED

(Received 2.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 21

Tho “Daily Express” understands that the Soviet has decided to release and expel Alcssrs W. H. Thornton and William AfacDonald, the two British engineers who were sentenced to two and three years respectively on charges of cabotage and espionage in Russia.

The Britishers already deported— Alcssrs Afonkhonse, Cushny' and Nordwall —crossed- the frontier into Poland at Bialyetok. The first request on leaving the train yvas for a healthy' meal. They' then entrained for AVarsayv. Air Afonkhonse, who was very pale, spoke emotionally'. He said ho could not understand the reason for. his arrest. He did not believe any' of his colleagues were guilty. “MacDonald’s curious conduct beats me,” ho added. “I beliey'e he was hypnotised. When I was examined 1 found the same glassy' eyes always staring in mine. I turned ayy’ay, but AlacDonald apparently' succumbed to hypnotic power.’'

SOVIET BOYCOTT. ORDERS FROM BRITAIN CANCELLED. (Received 2 p.m.) LONDON, April 21. British listeners heard a Moscow broadcast stating that the Soviet,would cancel existing contracts with Engr land, and not place any fresh orders. The British United Press representative in Moscow reports that the Soviet has ordered cessation of trade with, Britain as a retaliation for. the embargo placed by Britain on imports from Russia. ■