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RUSSIA.
The Protection
f British Travlors on the Murman
Coast.
(Previous
Reference: Cabinet 41 (28). Con- clusion 4.)
3. The Acting Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs.
referring to the Conclusion of the Cabinet
on the subject of the Protection of Fritish Trawlers
on the Muruan Coast, stated that the Foreign Office
had been endeavouring to discover the attitude
likely to be taken up by the Soviet Government in
the event of British trawlers fishing between the
3 and 12 mile limits under Naval protection.
Enquiry was being made with the aid of the Norwegian
Government, who had now communicated the views of
their representative at Moscow. So far as could be
ascertained, while the use of armed force against
British Cruisers was unlikely, some of the fishing
vessels operating within the 12-miles limit might
be arrest d if this could be done without collision
with the Cruisers (F.0. Telegram No.54, dated
September 29, 1928). In reply to the warning given
to the Soviet Government, a communication from that
Governrent had been received by the Norwegian
Government a few days ago but whether this was more
than a formal protest would not be known until the
text had been received and examined here. The
Foreign Office had been in consultation with the
Admiralty in regard to the despatch of a Cruiser
and doubts had been expressed as to the adequacy
of a Cruiser off the north coast of Norway for the on the Murman Coast
protection o trawlers engaged in two w
see.
No final opinion had been given by the Foreign
Office as to the despatch of the Cruiser.
The Cabin ́t confirmed their previous decision and emphasized the desira- bility of the Admiralty providing effective protection.
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