BRITISH NOTE TO RUSSIA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 21 June 1926, Page 5

BRITISH NOTE TO RUSSIA

SOVIET DEMONSTRATIONS MOSCOW, June 18. Big trade union demonstrations protested against the British Note to the Soviet. Banners bore slogans-, like “Hands Off Russian, Trade Unions,” “We Won’t Renounce Solidarity With Workers'of Other Countries.” .Meetings (Were held in the streets and 'factories. 1 Foot and- mounted militia during the demonstrations guarded Vorovsky street, where the British Mission is housed, and several times pushed back the .crowds't rying to pass into 1-Ke: building. , i STRONG SPEECH BY- LORD •BIRKENHEAD; i (Reuter s Telegrams)

. . . LONDON, Juno 20. An even more. forceful speech than Mr’ Churchill’s regarding Russia was uttered by Lord Birkenhead at Luton, declaring, “We clearly know the funds supplied to the British’ 'miners came from the -Russian -Government and know the motive which led’ the Russian Government to send them,” adding, “unless we observe sign?, .of a,change it will be necessary to decide whether it be well advised to retain .any .degree of association with a country whose avowed purpose all over the world is to undermine, .the historical greatness of Britain.” • . ’ ■ ; ; \

Mr MacDonald at London described the Government attitude as.one of the meanest and most contemptible stunts. He said Russian trades unions subscribed handsomely in aid of women and children, hut people whose minds were haunted by ghosts said the Russian Government was doing it because it had sworn to overturn the British Government. ' : PLAIN SPEAKING BY MR , . CHURCHILL ’ ’ >; LONDON, June 20. Mr Churchill did not mince words in reference to the Russian Government in a speech at Alexandra Palace. In the course of a discussion on the British .strike trouble .lie-said Russian Bolsheviks, whom lie described as “these miscreants” had ruined their own coun-. try, but were powerless to ruin ours. They thought the same sort of bluff with pvhieh they bamboozled moujiks would-suit Britain. The money sent for miners at the instance .of the Russian Government was very trifling compared with what the Russians had stolen from us. That the United States policy to Russia was the right one-was'proved by the Lael that' without in the slightest countenancing Bolshevik principles they had done’more’trade With Russia than we. "'ln view/ however, of the traditional continuity ' of British foreign policy' we had decided the present was not the time for a ruptUrp of relations. Tlie situation Was : -precarious and was being vigilantly.watched. He added a. warning that-people lending money to Russia must understand tlie British Treasury would in no circumstances accept responsibility if- they’were defraud. ed>- If: the' Governnient 'found -it - necessary .if would''expel Soviet agents. No claim 'for-losses''would be .entertained by the Treasury. ; He f 'UtlvisOcl traders with. Russia to get .payment or full security before their goods left the country.