SOVIET RUSSIA

Otago Witness, Issue 3594, 30 January 1923, Page 22

SOVIET RUSSIA

EXPORT OF GRAIN. LONDON, January 23. Advices from Helsingfors state that grain exports from Soviet Russia continue. Six thousand tons of rye have arrived in Finland. According to official Soviet calculations 320,000 tons of grain are being exported this year, though their own foreign emissaries are announcing that foreign help is necessary to keep the Russian population from starvation. The exports would suffice for more than 1,000,000 persons. These presumably must starve or rely upon foreign help. The Soviet Government explains that the exports are necessary to save the financial situation, which really' means that the Soviet needs money for the upkeep of the Red Army. BIBLE TEACHING BANNED. RIGA, January 25. The Soviet has now definitely banned all Bible teaching. Offenders are liable to a long term of imprisonment. FORMER RUSSIAN TREATIES TO BE ABROGATED. SHANGHAI, January 27. M. Joffe, representing the Russian Soviet Government, and Dr Sun Yat-sen have concluded a series of conferences, and have issued a joint statement agreeing that any attempt to eetabiish a Communistic Government in China is undesirable,' because it would not be assured of successful operation. Russia agrees to abrogate all the treaties and agreements imposed upon China by the former Czar’s Government. The Russian troops will not be withdrawn for the present from Outer Mongolia, as China does not tear any Imperialistic aims on the Russians’ part, and favours disarming the opposing Chinese troops under the direction of some friendly Power.