SOVIET TRADE

On March 16th a trade compact between Soviet Russia and Great Britain was signed in Lodon. This agreement, however, cannot be put into effect until the question of ownership of Russian money or goods is reconsidered by the British courts, since a court decision, already handed down in England, denies Soviet ownership of confiscated Russian property. Now a test cast is being brought forward to see if this decision will be reversed. If it is not, the Bolshevist representative, Mr. Krassin, admits that trade is impossible. It is interesting to consider why the agreement should have been signed before the case was decided.

Lenin's reasons are obvious. The trade agreement means but one thing to him, prestige. Kronstadt is in revolution, cities are seething with, unrest, Southern Russia is in arms. The recognition of the Soviets by Great Britain will be a tremendous weapon against this anti-Bolshevist movement. For Lenin will not call it revolution and proclamations will be scattered broadcast declaring the Soviet Russian has compelled capitalistic Great Britain to accept her terms.

On the other hand Lloyd George's motives are harder to understand. Most statement would have waited, not only for a final court decision as to the ownership of Russian gold, but until the Kronstadt matter was finally settled. Yet in the critical condition of home affairs a very good reason may be found. As was recently brought out in a discussion in the New York Evening Post, three recent by-elections out of four have gone to Labor or to the Liberals, and one, at Woolwich, was saved for the Coalition by resumed, there can be no possible harm in signing the agreement and pleasing Labor. True, the Commons may turn down the agreement, the Kronstadt, uprising may be successful, or the courts may rule the compact worthless, yet Lloyd George will have done his best for Labor.

At the same time there are many questions which naturally arise. What will happen to British prestige in the East when agitators spread the tale that the empire was forced to buy off Russia? What will happen to British influence in Russia if the Bolshevists should fall from power? England's Russian policy has certainly been to play both ends against the middle. But whatever the future may bring forth, Lloyd George will no doubt have a solution and will sign more pacts to straighten matters out. He has been in tight places before, and he, has always been able to dig his way out in a most remarkable fashion.