NOTE TO SOVIET

Southland Times, Issue 18938, 11 May 1923, Page 5

NOTE TO SOVIET

BRITAIN TAKES ACTION, LIST OF INDICTMENTS. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, May 9. The text has been issued of the British Note which was sent to Russia by aeroplane. The Note gives the Soviet ten days in which to comply w’ith its requests, otherwise Britain will recognise that the Soviet does not wish existing relations to be maintained. The Note demands an apology for and cessation of the Soviet’s anti-British propaganda, hostile action, particular!}’ in the East, and recall of officials responsible therefor. It also demands the Soviet’s admission of liability for and undertaking to pay compensation in cases where British subjects have been maltreated in Russia and British ships have been seized. It also demands the unequivocal withdrawal of the offensive reply to British representations regarding the Zeiplak-Budkevitch Note. It states that though Britain scrupulously observed the article in the trade agreement promising to refrain from any hostile act, the Soviet had flagrantly violated the same, the Note citing outrages against British citizens. It mentions the murder of Mr Davison in January, 1920, and the arrest and imprisonment on false charges of Mrs Stan Harding. Compensation is demanded for the loss of the Magnet a and the seizures of the St. Hubert and James Johnson, also an assurance that British trawlers will not be further interfered with outside the three-mile limit.

Referring to Russia’s reply to British representations on behalf of archbishops, the Note says it seems difficult to arrive at any other conclusion than that the Soviet is either convinced that Britain will accept any insult sconer than break with the Soviet, or that the Soviet desires to terminate relations created by the trade agreement. EFFECT OF NOTE MAY PROVOKE A CONFLICT LONDON, May 9. (Received May 10, 9.5 p.m.) The Morning Post says that in wellinformed quarters in London, there is an impression that the British Note may provoke a conflict between the extremists, of whom Tchitcherin is the leader and the moderates. The Daily Telegraph states that the Soviet delegation in London does not expect compliance and there are signs that they are making preparations for departure. Although the Bolsheviks know they have been watched, they are surprised at the accuracy of the Government’s information. It is clear that Lord Curzon has not given out one tithe of the precise information avail able regarding Bolshevik activities in England. INSTRUCTIONS TO BRITISH MISSION. LONDON, May 8. (Received May 9, 9.5 p.m.) Lord Curzon, simultaneously with a des- , patch of the Note to Russia, instructed Mr I Hodgson, British Agent, to return to England with the whole mission, if the Soviet Government does not reply by next Thursday. If a reply is received within that period, and is clearly unsatisfactory, the mission must leave Russia immediately. ONLY ONE MASTER. ELIMINATING RED UNIONS. WASHINGTON, May 9. (Received May 10, 9.5 p.m.) The American Federation of Labour issued a statement that it is serving a notice upon its affiliated unions that they cannot have dealings with the Russian Soviet and remain in the Federation, and that even approval of the Bolshevists’ policy is a cause for the cancellation of the Union’s charter. This policy was emphasised when the Federation demanded that the Central Labour Union of Seattle should rescind its endorsement of the Soviet. SENSATION IN MOSCOW. FIGHT WITH BURGLARS. LONDON, May 9. The Russian Telegraph Agency states that while the militia were fcllowing a gang of burglars at Moscow one of the criminals jumped on the motor car of the British Trade Commissioner and forced the chauffeur to drive on, the criminal meanwhile firing cn his pursuers. In the exchange of shots Mr Sloggett, a member of the British Trade Commission, was wounded and taken to hospital. The criminal was also mortally wounded. The Department of Foreign Affairs expressed to the British Mission its extreme