ANGLO-RUSSIAN CRISIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18871, 25 May 1923, Page 7

ANGLO-RUSSIAN CRISIS

LORD CURZON’S DEMANDS. SOVIET ACCEPTS MAJORITY. A CONFERENCE SUGGESTED. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, May 23. M. Krassin has handed to Lord Curzon his Government’s reply to the British Note. The reply says: “The Russian Government notes with satisfaction the fact that the British people have clearly revealed their will for tne maintenance of peace and the prevention of a break with Russia. Tho extension of the time limit of tho ultimatum gives hope that there is a possibility of reaching an agreement. The consequences to the general peace which might arise from a break between England and Russia are causing the Russian Government serious apprehension. There would be a great danger that it would threaten the preservation of peace, and humanity would as a result be threatened with countless calamities.' The Russian reply continues: “Serious damage would also be done to the equilibrium of the political relations and a basis created for the aggressive aims of the militarist elements in most countries, even independently of the will of the British Government. Therefore, being unwilling to give anybody grounds for placing even the smallest degree oP responsibility for the possibility of such results upon the Soviet, the latter is prepared to make new concessions. Russia is ready on the question of fishing rights to conclude a convention forthwith, granting English citizens the right of fishing Outside the three-mile limit pending a settlement of the question by an international conference, and to pay compensation in the cases at issue. The Russian Government is ready to pay compensation for the execution of Mr Davidson and for the arrest of Mrs Harding, with the reservation that this willingness does not signify that tlie Soviet’ recognises there is anv irregularity in the repressive measures it took against these spies, because their crimes have been proved definitely by due legal process, and the measures against them were taken before tho conclusion of the trade agreement. Their claims can in no way be regarded as a condition for maintaining the arrangement. ‘‘As to the question of observing the trade agreement in the East, tho Russian Government again repels the charge of infringement. The only way of settling the conflict and preventing future recrimination, and of co-ordinating the different viewpoints, is by discussion by speciaUy delegated representatives from both countries. Russia is • ready to confirm the undertakings given in the agreement provided Great Britain makes a similar declaration. It is self-evident when Great Britain makes friendly representations as to what it regards as an infringement, tho cases will be carefully investigated and the necessary measures taken. This, of course, is the basis of reciprocity. Should the British Government'be ready to consider the points at issue the Soviet is agreeable to delegate at once M. Tchitcherin to meet the British representatives.” —A. and N.Z. Cable.