Britain and Soviet

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 67, 21 March 1933, Page 5

Britain and Soviet

NO TRADE AGREEMENT NEGOTIATIONS SUSPENDED

[B.a Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright-1 LONDON. March 19. The British. Government has suspended negotiations for an AngloSoviet trade agreement. They will not be resumed until the Soviet adopts a reasonable attitude.

SOVIET AMBASSADOR RECALLED TO MOSCOW FAILED IN HIS DUTY Received March 20, 11.5 p.m. LONDON, March 20. ’J’he Daily Express states Maisky, the Soviet Ambassador to London, lis.s been trailed to Moscow because he has failed sufficiently to interpret to. the British Foreign Office his Government’s views regarding the arrests. M. Dovgalevsky, Soviet Ambassador at Paris, succeeds M. Maisky. SHORT CUT TO WAR MORAL DISARMAMENT. STR I. HAMILTON S VIEWS. LONDON, March 19. “1 am a peace fanatic in a world swarming with warriors—an anachronism the wrong way up," said General Sir Jan Hamilton, addressing the British Legionaries. ‘‘Russia’s real rulers are young Communists, who, seeing the British flag kicked about by youths of similar age, imagine they can kick it themselves, and. accordingly, they have arrested rhe Vickersites. I disapprove of the motto, ‘lf you want peace prepare for war.’ It has led to many wars. I want disarmament, but there is a certain moral disarmament inviting insolence which is the best short to war. Remember that the Russians did this to the Germans only when the latter were at the last gasp. They wouldn’t dare do it now, and dare [not do it to Americans. Japanese, nor 11he French.”

COMMERCIAL RELATIONS

MR. J. H THOMAS' SPEECH. RUGBY, Marek 19. In his Swansea speech, Mr. J. H. Thomas said: “Commercial relations must always be to the benefit of both parties, nad if these are to be facilitated subjects must not be exposed io unwarrantable hindrances and hardship in pursuit of them. We have already given abundant evidence of om anxiety not to interfere with Russia, however much we may disagree in her political aims, but it clearly would be a profound mistake to assume that, a relationship of commercial and diplomatic character which is essential, could be continued if our people are tn be subjected to the petty tyranny and punishment, and, indeed, the agonising mental strain these mon are now undergoing."

( THE THIRD DEGREE? TREATMENT OF VICTIMS. I LONDON, March .19. The Daily Telegraph says the Soviet’s continued refusal to allow visitors to discuss the case suggests that the Vickers prisoners are being subjected to the Ogpu’s third degree methods. Failing satisfaction, Britain’s next step would be the severance of trade and diplomatic relations, and possibly special measures to ensure the safety of | the persecuted Britons. MONTH IN GAOL BEFORE PUBLIC TRIAL. MOSCOW. March 19. The Soviet states that the Vickers employees will remain in Lubyanks goal for a month before ’rhe public trial with a mixed crowd of Russians. Such a trial of Englishmen has never yer been held in Russia. FANTASTIC CHARGES i ■ STATEMENT BY VICKERS. LONDON, Marek 19. Metropolitan Vickers officially declare that the charges of sabotage and counter-revolutionary activities against the accused in connection with the building of the Dnieprostroi dam are untrue, as the company has supplied none of rhe turbines and generators concerned, nor the materials used in their construction. The turbines were supplied from America. Moreover, rhe idea of damaging huge water turbines by pouring in sand or acid is manifestly absurd. Each blade weighs about five tons and the millions of gallons of water passing through daily would prevent acid or sand remaining. Therefore the accusation is fantastic. This is one of the few great installations in Russia for which Metropolitan Vickers have supplied little material, mainly a trifling part of the switch gear. The company still lacks news as to the charges, but is confident the affan is a terrible mistake. All the prisoners ought immediately to be released. OGPU INVESTIGATIONS END EVIDENCE HANDED OVER. MOSCOW, March 19. The Ogpu have completed their investigations and have handed the evidence to the Supreme Court. The British Consul and Embassy officials have visited the prisoners, and foreign firms have deposited their office records with their Embassies.