The Daily News SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1930. SOVIET PROPAGANDA.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1930, Page 6

The Daily News SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1930. SOVIET PROPAGANDA.

Evidence given at Moscow in connection with the trial of Professor Raihsin for alleged anti-Soviet activities has afforded another glaring. instance of the length to which the Soviet authorities will go in their propaganda • work directed to further revolutionary activities in other countries. It Would seem that Ramsin, pi‘eshmably with' the object of. escaping the extreme penalty for his participation in anti-Soviet Work, has made a so-called confession that involves allegations of intended intervention by certain other countries against the Soviet. Whether these reported revelations were invented by the accused men or have been engineered by Moscow propagandists is immaterial. They have been made public, and that is inainly what the Soviets Wanted in order to give additional impetus to their world-revolution programme. If it were not such a matter of serious concern to other nations, notably France and Britain, the disruptive tactics of the Russian rulers could be treated with the contempt they deserve. It may be recalled that when the present Labour Government of Britain resumed diplomatic and commercial relations with the Russian Soviets it was Upon the express condition that Ho inimical propaganda be allowed on either side. Britain has scrupulously observed her part of this compact. Not so has Russia. Again and again has there been justification for strong protests against breaches of faith On Russia’s part, but the Socialist Government of Britain has practically held Its peace. Even now, in the face of deliberate, unfounded charges that strike at the root of international honesty and honour, the British Government is still silent. The attitude taken in this deplorable business by the London Times is the only rational way in Which the whole sorry business can rightly be regarded. That journal, while expressing regret that the British Government hag not protested against the allegations concerning Great Britain, asserts that the reason why a protest should oe made, forcibly and without delay, is that the Soviet Government purposes entering internal politics, and stirring up passions in Russia that may only too easily become a danger to peace. ‘lt is beyond all question that 'when false propaganda of the most insidious kind is such as to accuse foreign Governments of taking steps to organise an economic blockade of another country with which friendly relations were supposed to exist, then every possible means should be adopted to put an end to a menace, that endangers the world’s peace. In such a serious affair it is not only Great Britain that is vitally concerned, but it affects the whole British Empire, more especially the Dominions. Can the Dominions rightly remain impassive under the apathy of the British Government? Will they not be lacking in a due scuse of their status as partners in the Empire if they refrain from urging on the Government of the Motherland the imperative duty of using every possible means to put an end to Soviet breaches of faith? We have only to note the statement published in Hie Soviet organ Pravda to the effect that. M. Poincare would not always escape -the clutches ol‘ proletariat justice. That threat may equally

Apply to the statesmen of Britain and the Empire, for if the Communists of France are relied upon to “bring the vipers (French Ministers) to book,’’ without doubt it can be inferred that the Communists in other countries are expected to accomplish the same evil work. It seems absolutely impossible for the Soviet authorities to change their methods of ill-faith and false propaganda. Nothing could be more absurdthan for them to profess to believe there exists a plot between Britain and'France to interfere in the domestic affairs of Russia, or to conspire together for territorial acquisitions or concessions. There is but one dominant desire on the part of the nations so far as Russia is concerned, and that is to sec that. unfortunate country well governed, its people made happy and contented, and the evil of persecutions entirely removed. Instead of posing as a. world-wide enemy, Russia should cultivate friendship and co-opera-tion. At the same time’shc ought to be made to understand that she must either loyally observe her compacts or be isolated from other nations.