RUSSIAN REDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22200, 29 August 1935, Page 11

RUSSIAN REDS

PROPAGANDA WORK AMERICA'S PROTEST NOTE FROM THE SOVIET RESPONSIBILITY REFUSED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ({Received August 28, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK. Aug. 27 The Washington correspondent of the New York Times says the relations between the United States and Russia were damaged considerably to-day in the view of observers there by the receipt of a Note from the Soviet Government which disclaimed all responsibility for the acts of the Third (Communist) International, against which the American Government had protested.

Russia's almost unprecedented step in rejecting tho protest came as a shock owing to the courtesy which has marked America's previous contacts with the Soviet. It is emphasised in privately informed quarters that thero is no present intention of breaking off diplomatic relations with Russia, but it is believed that the Soviet's Note will have Hhe effect of stiffening America's attitude in her future dealings with the Soviet. Coincident wini the receipt of the Note the State Department gave orders for a reduction of its diplomatic establishment in Moscow, but this action was said to have been planned in advance of to-day's developments. The general impression prevails that probably the Soviet's Note indirectly expressed certain pique as the result of the breakdown of the plan.? whereby a renewal of trade between Russia and America was to have been financed in the United States. MOSCOW'S ACTION ALLEGATIONS DENIED REPLIES TO FOUR POWERS (Received August 28. 8.5 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 27 The Soviet Government has rejected the protests from Britain, the United States, Italy and Latvia against the propagandist activities of the Third (Communist) International and the recent Congress of that body in Moscow. The Soviet definitely denies America's assertion that these activities violated M. Litvinoff's pledges to President Roosevelt in 1933. The Soviet Government says it cannot and never has assumed any obligations regarding tho activities of the International abroad.