CO129-492 - Governor Sir Clementi - 1925 [12] - 1926 [1-5] — Page 133

Enclosure 2.

Extract from the Hongbong Telegraph of 14-10-1925-

(1).

M. BORODIN INTERVIEWED.

RED

ENVOY DENIES RUSSIAN

CONTROL.

•

ADVISERS TO CANTON.

A newspaper correspondent who, They have heard through the re-4 has recently returned to the Colony ports published in the newspapers, from Canton had the opportunity, that the Government, both in its: whilst in the latter city, of inter- administrative and military viewing M. Borodin, the Soviet powers, is new in the hands of envoy. In accordance with pre- Russians; that it is or is about tol arranged plans, the interview took become Bolshevik; and that the place at Government House, where, present strike is encouraged by on arrival, the correspondent was and has the financial assistance of conducted to an ante-room. Here the Soviet. If you would grant me, M. Borodin was in waiting, and ho

a little of your time, I should like' courteously asked the correspon- to ask a few questions in order dent to be seated. This was evi-

that, on my return, I may be able) dently the private office of M, Boro- to give the overseas Chinese your) din. It was plainly furnished and views on the present situation in the decoration in harmony with the Canton."

:

furnishings, having only the flag of M. Borodin replied:-"Certain- the Russian Soviet and the photo-ly; I shall be glad to answer any graph of the late M. Lenin hung on the wall.

questions which do not concern the

civil administration of the Soviet,, M. Borodin is a man in the printe or its foreign policy. I, too, am of life, about 45 years of age,

aware that there are in circulation; of medium height and a robust

erroneous reports that the Govern-i physique, with a tendency towards ment at Canton has embraced the corpulence. His head is rather Bolshevik cause; and I am glad to large, and he has wealth of dark! have to-day's opportunity to give! hair. His eyes

you my views, and I hope you will; are Large and

tell the overseas Chinese what you bright. The man gives one the actually see and hear without any impression that he is keen, resolute colouring." and undaunted. On looking at his desk, the big piles of documents piled up on it bespeaks the great amount of work he has to perform daily.

"Is it a fact, as reported in the Papers," asked the correspondent, "that the Strike is encouraged and. backed by Anancial assistance: from the Soviet?"

"The Soviet has never given any! financial assistance to the Strike/ After exchanging the usual Union," answered M. Borodin. "TË: courtesies attendant on such in any assistance has been give terview, the correspondent opened from the Labour Unions there.

from Russia, it must have

the conversation by remarking: The Soviet had nothing to do! "I am

on, & mitsion on behalf of that. It is a matter entirely of si overseas Chinese desiring to bel

privatę nature, True, a certaink sum of money was received by enlightened on the present sitan-Strike Unions from the

Labour Unions, but this was

tion of the Canton Government

129