RUSSIA WARNED.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1923, Page 5

RUSSIA WARNED.

NOTE FROM BRITAIN. APOLOGY FOR HOSTILITY. TEN DAYS TO COMPLY. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, May 8. The British Note dispatched to Moscow contains a severe protest against the recent acts against a Britisher, and also against Russian propaganda. The Note maintains that there has been consistent violation of the undertakings embodied in the trade agreement. The Note gives the Soviet ten days in which to comply with its requests, otherwise Britain will recognise that the Soviet does not wish the existing relations to be maintained. The Note demands an apology for, and cessation of. the Soviet’s anti-British propaganda and hostile action, particularly in the East, and the recall of the officials responsible therefor. It also demands the Soviet’s admission of liability for and its 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 representation regarding the clerics Zeiplak and Budkevitch. The Note states that, though the British have scrupulously observed the article in the ty-ade agreement promising to refrain from any hostile act, the Soviet had flagrantly violated the same. The Note, citing outrages against Britons. mentions the murder of Davison in January, 1920, and the arrest and imprisonment on a false charge of Mrs. Stan. Harding. Compensation is demanded for the loss of the Magneta and the seizures of the St. Hubert and James Johnson, also an assurance that British trawlers will not further be interfered with outside the three mile limit.

Referring to Russia’s reply to the British representations on behalf of the Archbishops, the Note says: “It seems difficult to arrive at any other conclusion than that the Soviet is either convinced that Britain will accent any insult sooner than break with the Soviet, or that the Soviet desires to terminate the relations created by the trade agreement.” REPLY TN A WEEK. ORDERS TO BRITISH MISSION. COMMENT IN LONDON. Received May 10, 7.40 p.m. London, May 10. Lord Curzon, simultaneously with the despatch of the Note to Russia, instructed Mr. Hodgson, the British agent, to return to England with the whole mission if the Soviet does not reply by next Thursday. If the reply is received within that period and is clearly unsatisfactory, the mission must leave Russia immediately. The Morning Post says that in well-in-formed quarters in London there is an impression that the Note may provoke a conflict between the extremists, of whom M. Tchitcherin is the leader, and the moderates.

The Daily Telegraph states 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 Lord Curzon has not given out one tithe of the precise information available regarding the Bolsheviks’ activities in England.