SOVIET’S REPLY

Southland Times, Issue 18967, 14 June 1923, Page 5

SOVIET’S REPLY

ANXIETY FOR BRITAIN’S FRIENDSHIP QUESTION OF PROPAGANDA. (By Telegraph—Press Assn—Copyright). (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, June 12. The Russian reply does not insist on a Convention regarding fishing. It admits that an exchange of notes would be sufficient . The Soviet agrees to pay sums fixed by Britain as compensation in connection with Davison and Harding and also is willing to accept mutual undertakings on the question of propaganda, but thinks it necessary to clearly define that no assistance in future should be given by the British Government or Dominion Governments or protectorate to any monarchy or other hostile designs against the Soviet Republic ind its allies. The Soviet Government from information at its disposal has no doubts if the same criteria as have been used by the British Government in judging the activities of Russian representatives at Kabul and Teheran were applied to the activities of corresponding British agents who are implicated in the organisation of a rising in Turkestan and the Caucasus, the British Government would not have insisted on its one-sided demand. The necessity for a conscientious, businesslike and exact settlement of these questions is undeniable and if as the result of the negotiations of verification it should be found necessary to recall one or other official the Soviet would Pot hesitate in order to maintain the development of friendly relations.