Trade Talks with Russia
When Russia invaded Finland there could be no question of pursuing the Anglo-Russian negotiations then in train regarding a trade agreement between the two countries Any supplies sent to Russia at that time would havc been aid and comfort to her at a time when she wa, waging an aggressive war on an unoffending country. But the cessation of hostilities obviously created a different situation. This country cannot be expected to feel cordially towards a Government which has acted with the brutal cynicism of the Soviet Government ; but to pursue this feeling to the point of refusing at any time to have any economic relations with Russia would benefit nobody, and would tend to throw Russia still more into the arms of Germany. There is no moral precept which demands that we should refuse trade relations with a country of whose political policy we disapprove. The British Government-is right not to turn a cold shoulder to the over- tures made by M. Maisky, the Soviet Ambassador, on March 27th, suggesting a resumption of the trade talks ; it has now announced its readiness to take up the offer and con- sider what chances there are of a business arrangement which will not help Germany. We want Russian timber, Russia would like to have rubber and tin. But the discussions must be based on binding assurances that nothing we send to Russia will find its way to Germany.
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