FRANCE AND RUSSIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19316, 31 October 1924, Page 8

FRANCE AND RUSSIA

TERMS OF RECOGNITION. SPECIFIC FRENCH CONDITIONS. Pnit Aaoociatioa —By Telegraph—Oepyrigha. PARTS, October 29. The French Note to Russia conveying ■ecognition stipulates that recognition will u no way infringe any undertaking enered into' by France. It also expressly ■eserves the rights of the French Governnent and citizens respecting the obligations of former Russian Governments. Finally, it insists on mutual non-iuterfer-mee in the internal affairs of each country. The Soviet Government’s reply expresses die hope that all questions mentioned m die French Note will be satisfactorily settled in the forthcoming negotiating. It welcomes the French declaration regarding nternal non-interference. —Reuter. NEWSPAPER COMMENTS. PARIS, October 29. While the Left newspapers applaud the recognition of Russia, the Opposition press accepts the fact with resignation, and derives comfort from the belief that real recognition will only be possible after a Franco-Russian conference, presumably in January, has settled the outstanding questions, especially that of debts. It declares that the Anglo-Soviet negotiations typify the difficulties ahead. Figaro voices the extremist view in declaring that France is a vanquished State in the eyes of Moscow. Under shelter of the Red Flag, to cover diplomatic immunity, a few hundred determined knaves will establish a revolutionary propaganda centre. —Reuter. PAYMENT OF DEBTS. PARIS, October 29. (Received Oct, 30, at 5.5 p.m.) . The Times’s correspondent, commenting on France’s de jure recognition of Soviet Russia, says; “The general view is that the recognition is merely a formal step intended to hasten discussion of the real question, which is whether the Soviet Government means tp pay its debts.”—The Times.