CONDUCT IN MOSCOW

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26530, 4 August 1947, Page 5

CONDUCT IN MOSCOW

BRITISH TRADE DELEGATION SOVIET ALLEGATIONS DENIED Rec. 9 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 2. The allegations in a Moscow newspaper against members of the British trade delegate which recently visited Russia, were answered by Mr Harold Wilson, who led the delegation, in a statement to the Daily Express to-day. The newspaper, The Moscow Bolshevik, said: “ Having enjoyed themselves on the beach at Khebnikovo, on the Moscow-Volga canal, the gentlemen of the delegation proceed to Lake Krugwe. The unusual sight of the people attracted collective farm children who were amazed to see these adults performing most strange pirouettes.” Mr Wilson said: “ The pirouettes were just a game of cricket.” The Bolshevik’s account continued: “ The gentlemen began to lure the children by offering them sweets. Trusting the sincerity of the invitation, the children extended their hands for sweets and the British threw the remains of their food at the children’s feet and began taking photographs. For what purpose did these gentlemen need this disgraceful and indecent humiliation of the children? Certainly not for the sake of achieving mutual understanding and respect.” Mr Wilson said: “The Russian children came up to watch the cricket and when we settled down to eat they begged food. Naturally we could not refuse them. One of the party did take a photograph. It seemed the natural thing to. do.” The Bolshevik also quoted a document drawn up by employees of the Moscow Hotel. “At midnight on July 6, a group of drunken members of the delegation returned from a retaurant to their hotel rooms. One member of the group broke a glass door and the glass splinters injured an hotel employee who had to receive first aid.” Mr Wilson said: One of the delegation slipped against the window and splintered a pane. He was not drunk. One of the splinters hit an hotel employee on the head, causing a minor scratch. We gave him a packet of cigarettes next day and he was more than satisfied that we were probably the only sober people in the hotel that night.”