§ 19. Sir KINGSLEY WOODasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to a recent issue of "Pravda," the official Soviet Russian Government organ, stating that in India revolutionary battles were being instituted against Imperialist oppressors and in other ways encouraging revolutionary action against, this country; and whether he is taking any action in the matter?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Dalton)I have seen among the so-called "slogans for the 1st of May," published in the "Pravda" and other papers, a phrase in the terms to which the right hon. Gentleman refers. As regards the second part of the question, I have nothing to add to the reply returned by my right hon. Friend to a question regarding statements in the "Pravda" put by the right hon. Gentleman on the 24th March.
§ Sir K. WOODDoes the hon. Gentleman really mean to say that, having regard to the confirmation of that statement in the official communiqué issued by the Indian Government as to Bolshevist influence in India, he is going to take no action in the matter at all?
§ Mr. SMITHERSIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that the "Pravda" is the official organ of the Soviet Government and the Comintern?
§ 38. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to a manifesto advocating sedition and revolution in India published by the Communist International in a London daily newspaper on the 1st instant; and whether, in view of the danger which may result from the reproduction of this article in India and the pledge of the Soviet Government as regards such propaganda in British territory, he intends to take any action in the matter?
§ 50. Mr. SMITHERSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to an article in the "Daily Worker," the organ of the Communist party of Great Britain (British section of the Communist International), of 8th May, applauding inter alia the insubordination of a regiment in India, inciting to disobedience a British regiment, and referring to Communistic propaganda at Aldershot; and, in view of the provisions as to propaganda and the Soviet Government's responsibility for the action of the Comintern in the Protocol of last October, will he make all these occurrences the subject of a protest, as a breach of that agreement, to the Soviet Government?
§ Mr. DALTONYes, Sir. I have seen the articles in question, but am not yet in a position to announce the decision of His Majesty's Government in regard thereto.
§ Mr. SMITHERSWill the hon. Gentleman reply to the last sentence of my question?
§ Mr. DALTONMy answer covers both questions, and, in view of the obviously serious character of this document, I should have thought that it would be to the general interest that we should leave it there for the moment.