BRITAIN AND RUSSIA

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17957, 8 December 1932, Page 8

BRITAIN AND RUSSIA

TERMS OP AGREEMENT AN APOLOGY DEMANDED (British Official Wireless.) Dee. 2 p.in. RUGBY, Dee. 7. Ait important statement on relations with Russia was made by Sir Joint Simon in reply to a House of Commons question regarding 1 the activities of the Third International. Sir John Simon pointed out to the Ambassador that various matters of difficulty and complexity, particularly in relation to trade.between the Soviet and Britain, would shortly arise for discussion between the two Governments. If the Soviet Government wished these'matters to be discussed in the usual manner as between Governments in friendly relations, they must apologise for the language of the Izvcstia' article, and also ensure that no further statements of the kind referred to would be made in future. It was emphasised to M. Maisky that future indulgence of these tactics would only confuse the issue between con icrcial negotiations and propa-

ganda, and render the former, which should be treated on their merits, impossible of conclusion. Sir John Simon added that as a previous assurance given on behalf of the British Government had been ignored,

he would repeat finally and categorically that the policy of His Majesty’s Government was to promote trade relations on a permanent and stable basis, and that it expected the Soviet Goveminent,,fo state (dearly in reply what was its policy towards this country. S': r Jobn Simon lias now received an oral reply .from the Soviet Ambassador, which is under consideration.