BOLSHEVIKS BAMBOOZLE MOUJIKS, NOT BRITAIN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17878, 21 June 1926, Page 10

BOLSHEVIKS BAMBOOZLE MOUJIKS, NOT BRITAIN.

CHURCHILL WARNS PEOPLE AGAINST LENDING MONEY TO RUSSIA; SITUATION PRECARIOUS; BEING VIGILANTLY WATCHED. JJy Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright.—Reuter’s Telegrams. Bolsheviks may be able to bamboozle moujiks with their “ hot air,” but they cannot fool the British public in the same way. These sentiments were expressed by Mr Winston Churchill in a speech at Alexandra Palace. He did not mince words.

LONDON, June 20. Mr Churchill did not mince words in reference to the Russian Government In a speech at Alexandra Palace. In the course of a discussion on British strike troubles, he said that the Russian Bolsheviks, whom he described as “ these miscreants/’ had ruined their own country, but were powerless to ruin ours. They thought the same sort of stuff with which they bamboozled the moujiks would suit Britain. The money sent for the miners at the instance of the Russian Government was very trifling compared with what the Russians had stolen from us. That the United States’s policy to Russia was the right one was proved by the fact that without in the slightest countenancing Bolshevik principles they had done more trade with Russia than we. In view, however, of the traditional continuity of the British foreign policy, we had decided that the present was not the time for the rupture of relations. The situation was precarious and was being vigilantly watched. He added a warning to people lending money to Russia that they must understand that the British Treasury would in no cir-

cumstances accept responsibility if they were defrauded. If the Government found it necessary to expel Soviet agents, no claim for losses would be entertained by the Treasury. He advised traders with Russia to get payment or full security before their goods left the country.