SPEECH BY MR LLOYD GEORGE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18783, 17 May 1923, Page 5

SPEECH BY MR LLOYD GEORGE

LONDON. May 15 Mr Lloyd George expressed satisfacat Mr McjvJl’s announcement that hv v. is willing to meet M. Krassin. A quarrel between Britain and Rusbia would be a calamity so great that e very restraint should be exercised before a decision wa.’ reached. It would be a fundamental error to discuss Russia in the terms of Western civilisation. Russia was practically where France stood in her pre-revoiution days. An essential preliminuary to the stoppage of propaganda in the East was the re-es-tablishment of some sort- of AngloRussian understanding. On foreign policy, there was really no difference between Tsarist and Bolshevist Russia. M. Tchitcherin was not a revolutionary in

the ordinary sense of the word. He was as great an aristocrat as Lord Curzon. (Daughter.) It was the same old Russia we were up against. They ought not to make a mistake.of thinking it was just Bolshevism. Gradually Bolsheviks would develop into old Russian imperialists. He begged the Government, now they had agreed to a conference, to take tine fullest advantage thereof and think of the condition of the world. It was very grave, north, south, east and west. It was not a world to drop matches in. The word ultimatum had a nasty sound. It led to catastrophe in 1914 and he hoped it was not going to be used again. Let them forego some of their prejudices, even some of their righteous wrath. A revolutionary country armed was a terrible weapon. He appealed to th© Government to enter into a conference with a full knowledge of what the dangers were, and a wish to see peace established with Russia. MR ASQUITH AGREES WITH MR LLOYD GEORGE. Mr Asquith said he associated himself emphatically with Mr Lloyd George's every word. The Soviet’s behaviour had been as reprehensible as foolish, but, overwhelming as was the case against the Soviet in matters of detail, lie questioned the wisdom of cutting the only cord of communication between the two countries. The House would be relieved to hear that the Government was prepared to examine questions seriatim with Krassin with a sincere desire to reach an understanding.