BRITAIN’S NOTE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17037, 10 May 1923, Page 10

BRITAIN’S NOTE.

SOVIET GIVEN TEN DAYS. APOLOGY & GUARANTEES DEMANDED. By Telegraph—Pmi Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received May 10. 10.20 a.m.) LONDON, May 9. The text fias been issued of the British Note, which was sent to Russia by aeroplane. The Note gives the Soviet ten days in which to comply with its requests, otherwise Britain wil! recoguise that, the Soviet does not wish the existing relations to be maintained. The Note demands an apology for, and the cessation of, the Soviet's antiBritish propaganda and hostile action, particularly in the east, and the recall of the officials responsible for this action. It also demands the Soviet’s admission of liability for, and undertaking to pay, compensation in cases where British subjects have been maltreated in Russia and British ships seized. The Note also demands the unequivocal withdrawal of the offensive reply t>o the British representations regarding Father Zeplink and Monsignor Budkevitch. The Note states that though Britain scrupulously observed the article in the Trade Agreement promising to refrain from any hostile act. the Soviet had flagrantly violated the same. The Note cites outrages against British subjects and mentions the murder of Mr Davison in January. 1920, and the arrest and imprisonment, on false charges of Mrs Stan Harding. Compensation is demanded for the loss of Magenta., the seizures of the St Hubert and James Johnson, and' also an assurance that British trawlers will not be further interfered with outside the three-mile limit. Referring to the Russian reply to the British representations on behalf of the Archbishops, the Note says:— “It seems diffioult to arrive at any other conclusion than that the Soviet is either convinced that Britain will accept any insult sooner than break with the Soviet, or that the Soviet desires to terminate the relations created by the trade agreement.’*