The Washington herald., 1920-06-04
SOVIET MEETS
BRITISH TERMS
Lloyd George Agrees With
Krassin on Russian
Trade Plan.
FACTORIES TO PROFIT
British Companies Will Sup
ply Rail Equipment for
Reds.
FACTORIES TO PROFIT
BY CARL w. ACKERMAN.
(Washington Herald-Public Ledger
Service. Special Cable Dfspatch.)

service. special cable Dfspatch-D
London. June 3.-The die is cast
and the foundation for peace be-
tween-England and Soviet Russia
has been laid by Krassin and
klisko. the Bolshevist trade ENJOYS.
who have both surprised and con-
vinced Lloyd George. From now
on. providing only that Lenine and
Trotsky support Krassin, Britain
and Russia will make serious ef-
commercial intercourse.
II the optimism of today is not
destroyed by some act OF deceit or
treachery by Russia the business
peace will soon develop into a po-
fitical peace, although 1t is very
probable that when the time comes
for official political recognition
there may be a conservative coali-
tion government in Moscow.
Moscow Instructed.
krassin has communicated a
confidential statement of the con-
versations with the British cabinet
to Maxim Livenov, in Copenhagen,
who in turn Is forwarding il to
Moscow. Krassin is expecting to Ie-
main here indefinitely, so confident
Is he that Britain and Russia are
on the threshold Of great business
enterprises.
That which surprised the premier
and his colleagues the most was
krassin's frank Acknowledgement
that unless Russia begins imme-
diately to trade with the outside
world the present government will
fail and another bloody revolution
viii be followed by an indefinite
period OF anrcEy. From. Krassin's
further statements the British Of
ncials concluded that while a new
revolt may lead to the overthrow
OF Lenine and his co-workers,
there is no possibility OF either a
strong central government being
formed or of order being restored
for a long period after another Rus
sian civil war and further, that
another Bolshevist peasant uprising
Will in all probability not be con-
hned to Russia but spread to the
Near East and Central Europe.
When questioned about the sup
plies and material with which
Russia might be in a position to
export in exchange for manufac-
tured wares, Krassin admitted that
at present. aside from fax and
timber, Russia was not in a position
TO export anything, although the
Soviet government with the present
visible assets. would be in a posi-
tion to pay up to $500. 900, 900
(normally about $4,000. 500. .00O). for
articles imported into Russia These
possible assets of Russia are made
up of the following:
Fail 10 Regain Booty.
Platinum valued at about fl ,ooo,-
600, art treasures. including valua-
Bile collections formerly belonging
to the Imperial family and the aris-
tocracy. seized by the various revo-
lutionary governments from that OF
kerensky to the Bolshevists' fl00,-
100000 in gold: foreign securities
and the crown and other jewels ap-
proximately of the same value.
As far as the British government
can learn from Soviet representa-
tives and independent investiga-
tions, the Bolshevists have not sue
ceeded in recovering any large por-
ton of the gold and platinum seized
by the CZechs in Samara, in 1919.
This gold and platinum were turned
over to Admiral Kolchak's govern
ment and were valued at $30O,Oos.
900. or that about 500, ,00o. 600 was
recovered by the Bolshevists when
they overcame the Kolchak forces
in Siberia
England Gains Benefits.
These assets of Russia are being
offered the Supreme Economic
Council or Britain. IL she is the only
nation which desires at present to
resume commercial relations on a
large scale. in exchange for cloth
ing. shoes. household necessities,
railroad material and factory sup
plies.
Premier Lloyd George and his
cabinet are handicapped by the lack
OF authentic information regarding
the Bolshevist operations in Persia
and the refusal Of the Soviet gov
eminent to release British pris-
oners.
Krassin was frankly informed
that until he could assure the Brit
ish cabinet ahcut Lenine's wiling
ness to withdraw his forces into
Russia and until British prisoners
are released, the trade discussions
IN bOnoOn CCulQ not De expected tn
be wholly satisfactory.
Dimeulties Admitted.
Britain realizes that until some
order Is established on the Russia n
railways there will not be much
progress. The government estf-
mates it will be two years at least
before Russia can export any large
quantities of raw materials or food.
In the meantime Russie's needs, If
taken care of by British industries.
will be great boor to factories
in this country. London officials are
confident that as trade increases and
as British merchants make their
way into Russia carrying Western
ideas with them II will not be long
until the conserve tive business and
political forces now slumbering ar
imprisoned In Russia will begin 10
make their influence felt in the Rus
sian government.
ospyhsht. 1920, By Public Ledger Col