SOVIET RUSSIA

Otago Witness, Issue 3590, 2 January 1923, Page 19

SOVIET RUSSIA

BIG DEFICIT IN GRAIN. GENEVA, December 21. Dr Nansen”s organisation for the relief of Russia .reports that it estimates that there has been a deficit of at least 1,000,000 tons of grain in Russia this winter. The Russian authorities e6timate that 8,00(1000 famine-stricken people will require assistance, but the Soviet Government is not expected to be able to feed more than 4,250,000. RUSSIA AND ITALY. LAUSANNE, December 23 M. Vorowsky, head of the Russia commercial delegation, has gone to Rome to discuss a resumption of normal commercial relations. This is due to the conciliatory attitude of Signor Mussolini, who favours a de jure recognition of the Soviet. STRONG PROTEST BY BRITAIN. LONDON, December 22. In connection with the wreck of the trawler Magneta, which the British Government alleges was due to the Soviet authorities arresting the vessel outside the three-mile limit, a- strong protest has been made by the British agent at Moscow that the Soviet categorically refused to recognise responsibility or give an undertaking not to repeat the interference with British vessels. Tlie British Government ha* despatched a warship to Russian waters to prevent a repetition of such incidents.