RUSSIA AND BRITAIN.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15245, 23 May 1923, Page 5

RUSSIA AND BRITAIN.

RUPTURE DEPRECATED. A TCHITCHERIN INTERVIEW.^ AGREEMENT FACILITATES PEACE. Australian and N.Z. Cafoie Assn. LONDON, May 22. All responsible Russian leaders are not anxious to force a break with Britain. This is shown in a special interview given by M. Tohlleherln, Commissary lor Foreign Affairs, to a correspondent of the Daily Express, in which he made an appeal in favour of negotiations as Hie only method of settling the dispute between Britain and Russia. » M. Tohitchcrin indicated that unless Lord Curzon could see ills way ! to negotiate, the breaking off of relations was inevitable. He added: “The termination of Hie trade agreement must involve the cessation of all trade between the two countries. If Britain is really anxious for us to change our Eastern policy she should not have chosen the method of a humiliating ultimatum. We are forced to the belief that these complaints are merely a pretext and part of a preconceived plan for achieving a break. Probably it is Lord Curzon’s idea that cessation of trade would create overwhelming difficulties for the Soviet Government, but he is wrong. ' Our economic structure is primitive but nevertheless it is solid and can sustain almost any difficulties. “Agreement between Russia and Britain means facilitating world peace. Should an Anglo-Russian agreement fail all inflammable elements will find resistance to their bellicose aspirations gone. We deplore in the greatest degree that in his interview with M. Krassin Lord Curzon mjidc not Hie slightest attempt to offer concessions. He simply recapitulated the ultimatum. The responsibility he has assumed for this policy is overwhelming.”