Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-05-16

London. May Is By A. PD-The
outcome of the eagerly awaited Rus
sian debate tonight in the House of
Co lmonS was the announcement
that there would be no immediate
break between England and Russia
but that negotiations would be
started through Leonid Krasslin,
who was in the gallery listening to
the debate.
Ronald Mcneil. Under Secretary
for Foreign Affairs, announced on
beha, of the government that for
cign secretary Curzon was prepared
to enter into discussion with NJ.
krassin and that, in order to en-
able the latter to communicate with
his government in Moscow, the time
limit mentioned in the British ulti-
matum to tho Soviets would be
rcaso ably extended. But, he added
this should not be taken to mean
that the British would be satisfied
with anything less than compliance
with their demands.
Former Premier Lloyd George eX-
TtcSSed satisfaction with the an
nouno ment and said he thought the
government had taken a wise decis-
ion. Gossip around the Hobbies had
it that the time limit would be eX-
tended another ten days.
j. Ramsay Macdonald, leader of
the opposition, opened the debate
with a strong attack upon the gov
ernmcnts policy ir which lie attri-
huted all the troubles between Eng
land and Russia to the failure to
recognize the Soviet government
He invited the government to pro-
ducc documentary proofs of its
cborcrNS IN ha Nd
maintained that the Russian reply
opened the way for settlement
TIN 0ugh an international conference
Mr.. Mcneil. in replying strongly
repudiatcd the suggestion of hos
tile intentions toward Russia. He
declared that the government might
have made n caSus belli of its griov
anccs but that such an idea had
never for n moment been entertain
cd. The government did not desire
to dstroy the trading agreement be-
tween the two countries. but simply
to ensure its proper observance.
Except on the single point Ielat-
ing to tn, nights of British fisher
ron. the Russian reply was entirely
unsatisfactory and the government
could not admit that the invasion OF
British rights in this matter could
't iltA ny iIOl'tRHS stIi llIttt ilSl( al
conference on the much larger qucs-
ton of settling disputes with regard
10 territorial water limits all over
the world
The governments concession took
a deal of the sting o. : of the suhsc-
quent debate. in which Mr.. Lloyd
George provoked hearty laughter by
declaring that NJ. Tchitcherin, of
the Soviet government, was not
revolutionary in the commonly ac-
ccptcd use of the term. but was
really las great an ariStoCrat as
Curzon"
The former premier maintained
that BolSheviSm was a passing phase
and that the government ought to
realize it was something much more
permanent than BolShevism that
they were up against They should
therefore. take advantage of the
present opportunity for convcrsa-
tons.
Former premier Asquith expressed
n desire to associate himself with
everything Mr.. Lloyd George had
said.
Moscow. May Is (By A. PD-The
Russian Soviet government is await
inv Great Britain'S action on the
Litvinoff note with intense interest
most of the Rolshcvik leaders OK
pressing the feeling that n break
with England would bring war soon
or or later. even though they do not
look for q hostile attack from Eng
land itself
Maintenance Of the agreement
with the British, to the Russian Of
fetal mind, acts as check to any
warlike intentions on the part of
Poland, Rumania of the other Dor
der state. and if this check were
withdrawn they fear hostilitieS
might ensue at any moment.