SOVIET RUSSIA

Otago Witness, Issue 3611, 29 May 1923, Page 21

SOVIET RUSSIA

ANGLO-RUSSIAN CRISIS. LONDON, May 20. 'The Daily Telegraph's correspondent states that M. Ivrassin has transmitted to Moscow the details of his interview with Lord C’urzon. Thev were accompanied by a personal recommendation that the substance of the British demands should be accepted. WHITE SEA FISHERIES. LONDON, May 20. The Grimsby trawler Jeria was 15 miles off the White Sea coast, when a Bolshevist gunboat signalled that she was under arrest. The Jeria’s captain pretended to misunderstand the signals, and countered the gunboat’s manoeuvres to head the Jeria- into land till dusk came, when she made a dash for liberty, with the gunboat in close pursuit. The Jeria fired distress rockets, and the British gunboat Godetia hastened to the scene with her guns uncovered. The Boi shevist vessel slunk away to the shore. The crew of the James Johnson, who were captured by the Russians, have returned to Newcastle after 40 davs’ cap tivity. A C0XI; ERENCE SUGOESTED. LONDON, May 23. M. Ivrassin has handed to Ford Curzon his Government’s reply to the British Note. The reply savs: ' The Russian Government notes with" satisfaction the fact, that the British people have clearly revealed their will for the maintenance of peace and the prevention of a break with Russia. The extension of the time limit- of the 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 equilib riiim 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 of responsibility for the possibility' of such results upon the Soviet, the iatter 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 the 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 the conclusion ot the trade agreement. Their claims can m no wav he regarded as a condition for maintaining the arrangement. “As to the question of observing the trade agreement in the East, the 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 specially 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, the 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. Tchitcberin to meet the British representatives.” BRITISH PRESS CRH I ( ISM. LONDON, .May 24. The Daily Telegraph says that official circles, while not disputing that the Soviet Note goes far towards capitulation, declare that the Note in its present form does not give satisfaction. The suggestion to conclude the convention in regard to the three-mile limit asks the acceptance from the Bolshevists of something Great Britain possesses already, and asks Britain to ignore the existence of the international law. The offer of compensation in regard to Mr Davison and Mrs Harding is more in the nature of a gi(£ than something due. MRS HARDING'S TREATMENT. LONDON, May 25. Mrs Harding expresses the confident hope that Britain will reject the Russian offers relating to Mr Davidson and herself. The Soviet's idea of due legal process meant removal from a solitary cell to face interrogations by a judge lasting the whole of the night, in which the prisoner was alternatively threatened with execution for offences never committed and pro mised a liberal reward to turn spy on her own associate. Her only crime was that she was sent to Russia at the Soviet’s invitation. As a journalist she was ready to believe that Krassiu and his colleagues were endeavouring to create a just and equal state.