LITVINOFF LOCKED OUT OF HIS EMBASSY.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14650, 2 March 1918, Page 5

LITVINOFF LOCKED OUT OF HIS EMBASSY.

DENOUNCED BY SIR GEORGE

CAVE,

KAMENEFF TO BE DEPORTED.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association)

(Received March 1, 8.30 p.m.) London, Feb. 28. When Litvinoff and his staff arrived at the so-called Russian Embassy office in Victoria street, they found tte doors barred and all the plates removed. The landlord's agent opened the door, l;i:.t prevented Litvinoff from entering. He offered to refund the.rent for tin unexpired portion of the tenancy, but Litvinoff refused. The agent informed Litvinoff that the furniture must be re- ; moved. Sir George Gave, Home Secretary, in the House of Commons, replying- to questions, said Litvinoff could not he allowed to circulate revolutionary literature in munition works. Sir George Cave declared tlrat we would continue diplomatic relations with Russia. Litvinoff camo not as an ambassador but to engage m revolutionary propaganda. If he had been on ambassador he could not have remained for ten minutes. He issued a manifesto of such a nature that many had been seized. He also conversed v.vth British soldiers, but he tvouid not he. j allowed to do so again. He lad now given a promise that he would not engage in propaganda. If the promise was broken he would not he allowed further indulgence. Kameneff's position was the same. He came as a Boish«viki envoy to France, but the French Government did not allow him to land. The only course tterefore was to send him back to Russia. The Government refused to allow Kameneff- to address meetings, and they had decided to ask for an Order-in^Coi*ncil preventing aliens from addressing meetings and indulging in propaganda. These foreign envoys came to recommend Bolshevism, which had brought Russia into its present condition.

Sir George ridiculed the idea that British workmen would listen to such doctrines, but the. Home Oißce was bound to take steps to prevent propaganda causing unrest among the Russians in the British Army, in the East End of London, or engaged in munition works.

Litvinoff denies the assertions made by Sir George Cave in the House of Commons that he used the aliases Finkelstein and Buchanan. He says he has protested in the strongest manner to the Government, especially against a Cabinet Minister spreading false inforr mation. He declares that the Russian people will tegard Sir George Cave's action as a gross insult which may lead to gravo con-sequences.

Kameneff was not allowed to cash a cheque for £5000. He will return to Petrograd forthwith, Franco refusing him admittance.