RUSSIA AND BRITAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18694, 28 April 1924, Page 7

RUSSIA AND BRITAIN.

NEGOTIATIONS IN LONDON. A PROTEST FROM MOSCOW. REPUDIATION OF DEBTS. By Telegraph Press Association—Copyright. (Received 6.5 p.m.) Renter. LONDON. April 26. The All-Russian Council of Trades Unions at. Moscow has issued a protest against the British bankers' memorandum of April 13. It declares that Russia cannot recognise the debts of the Tsarist and Kerensky Government, which would degrade Russians to the level of coolies. If England gives us credits, the council says, we shall repay a moderate percentage of the debts, but private property will never be returned to foreign owners. We shall forbid commercial negotiations between British bankers md private Russian capitalists. The Russian charge d'affaires in London, M. Rakowsky, emphasises the fact that this protest must not be regarded as official. Although it contains some points in accordance with the views of the Soviet Government, it does not represent the policy of the Soviet in other respects. M. Rakowsky states that so far the negotiations between the British and the Russian delegates in London have gone very well. Goodwill has been shown, and there has been no serious difference of opinion. He believes that definite results on some questions .vill be reached next week. It is not intended to postpone the settlement of individual points until a general settlement has been reached, but to conclude agreements as they are arrived at.