§ 52. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to a recent decision of the German Court at Leipzig refusing the application of a Danish company for an order stopping a, sale of furs by the Russian Soviet Government, as such furs had been stolen by the Soviet Government from the Russian warehouse of the said Danish company after it had been sealed with the seal of the Danish Legation, on the ground that a Bolshevist law had been passed in January, 1919, providing that all private property may be expropriated even if such property is under the seals of representatives of foreign Powers; and whether it is proposed to make any representations to the Russian trade representative in this country or to the Soviet Government as to the necessity of repealing this law if trade is to be resumed between this country and Russia?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI have no information respecting the case referred to, and I do not propose to make representations to the Russian authorities on this matter. The conditions under which trade is possible will, of course, come under consideration at Genoa.
§ The following are the particulars:
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs it not a matter of vital importance to know whether this law, which has been decided by a German court, is in force, and, if in force, what is the object of any trade or agreement with Russia?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI cannot conceive that it can be the business of the British Government to make representation to the Russian Government about a decision of a German court.