MONEY FROM THE SOVIET

Stratford Evening Post, Volume LVIII, Issue 20, 19 June 1926, Page 5 (Supplement)

MONEY FROM THE SOVIET

FOR BRITISH STRIKERS

SPEECH BY EARL BALFOUR

Pit-eu Association— Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.

LONDON, June 17

In the House of Lords, replying to Lord Newton's inquiry respecting the Russian strike money, Earl Balfour said that the avowed object of the Soviet Government was to destroy our social system. The presumption was that the money was not contributed by the workers but by the Soviet Government, He was not quite sure Britain should have recognised the Soviet. That was an arguable point, but there was a great difference between breaking off relations and not entering into relations at all. The first would produce disturbances far beyond the confines of two countries, *nd was the last course any responsible statesman would like to take. It was one which, without an adequate object, would add a new social disturbance to an already over-disturb-ed world. What was Britain going to gain by breaking off relations? "I am quite unable to see any gain, until the situation develops in a manner in which I hope it will not. I suggest we go on diplomatically, as now. Nothing is to be gained by formal gestures when we cordially disapprove of a Government whose action we can in no manner control. I,am in favour of leaving things as they are. Having quite explicitly explained we are not the dupes of Russian policy, and with public opinion behind us, we have nothing to fear from the contrivances and intrigues of any,nation in the world."

"THEIR CAUSE IS OUR CAUSE."

(Times. ) (Received 11.25 a.m.) LONDON, June 18

Tli© Riga, correspondent states that the Red trade union have, issued a note to the world which says: "To expect the Soviet to forbid Russian Unionists help British miners is totally to misunderstand the spirit of the Soviet Government. The unions have helped, are helping and will heJp the British miners because their cause is our cause."

The newspaper "Izvestra." says: "The contributions were not the real cause of the Note but they served as a. convenient pretext to begin a British earefully-plannod assault on Russia to make us pav our debts."

MOSCOW DEMONSTRATION.

(Received 11.25 a-m>) MOSCOW. June 18.

■'■••A bia trade union demonstration protested against the British Note to the Soviet. ' ~T T ■ i Banners bore slogans like "Hand? off Russian trade unions." "We will not renounce solidarity with: the workers of other countries." Meetings were held in the streets and 'factories. ; . ! ■ : V Foot and mounted militia during the demonstrations guarded Vorovskv Street", where the British mission is housed. The v several times'/pushed back crowds trying: to pass nitei the building. .. ! - ; "