THE ARCOS RAID

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19845, 20 May 1927, Page 7

THE ARCOS RAID

EFFECT ON TRADE Home Secretary’s Announcement Awaited With Interest CONTINENTAL CONJECTURES [By Telegraph—Per Press Assn.—Copyright.] Received May 19, 8.30 p.m. (A. & N.Z) LONDON, May 19. The Home Secretary’s statement in the House of Commons to-day regarding the Arcos raid is awaited with the keenest interest. It is understood that Sir William Joynson-Hicks will place before Cabinet a full report of the results of the search, and it will then be decided how much can be disclosed. “It is the view in well-informed quarters,’’ says the Daily Telegraph’s parliamentary correspondent, “that the discoveries are of sufficient importance to justify the raid. There is a strong feeling in Ministerial circles that the Soviet Note is insulting and the allegations against the police are absolutely untrue. A Two-Edged Sword. “Politicians who hitherto have been reluctant to break relations with Russia now express the opinion that the Trade Agreement must be abrogated.” The correspondent points out that the threat to divert contracts and purchases from Britain to other countries is a two-edged weapon since it means not only the impossibility of’ Soviet Russia securing direct British credits, but also the refusal of the British financial houses to discount or re-discount bills relating to any large scale trade and credit operations between Soviet Russia and third parties such as Germany. Much Speculation. Singular statements are emanating from Berlin, where its is rumoured that the Soviet was on the verge of concluding a £20,000,000 credit with several London banks, including the Midland Bank in addition to the £10,000,000 credit previously stated to have been arranged. There is also speculation on th© Continent regarding the contents of the missing document which was the original cause of the raid. Berlin is asking did th© document 1 contain a plan for the passage of British and French troops through Germany in the event of war with Russia, or did it contain a defensive plan against a French air attack on Britain.

AN ANGRY CROWD FEELING IN MOSCOW. POLICE AND TROOPS KEEP ORDER Received May 19, 8 p.m. (A. &N.Z.) MOSCOW, May 19. Th© crowd, after a meeting of protest against the Arcos raid, tried to reach the residence of the British Charge d’Affaires but was stopped by mounted police and troops.