M. A. A. Joffe, the envoy plenipotentiary of the Soviet Government to the Republic of China, sailed on Saturday evening for Japan at the invitation of Viscount Goto, on board the R.M.S. Empress of Asia. Prior to his departure he authorized the following interview to a representative of the "North-China Daily News."
'M. Joffe is a rather small man, whose dark brown eyes shine with the light of a zealot from a rather pale face, half covered witn a busby black beard. He stated that he was recovering from a nervous breakdown, and his weak physical condition gave ample testimony that ho had recently been a very sick man.
"My primary object in going to Japan is to recover my lost health," he said. Viscount Goto has been gracious enough to extend a hospitable invitation which I shall accept. My journey has no political significance, and whatever conversations I have with my host repanding, politics will be entirely unofficial—merely the exchange of opinions between friends."
M. Joffe was then asked regarding the position of refugees returning to Russia. He said, "Those White refugees who did not" avail themselves of numerous opportunities when amnesty and full pardon were repeatedly granted, now become classed under. the general rules for Russian emigrants abroad, and in consequence must apply in each individual case for admission, when each. case.will be treated separately.
"Tt may be said, however, that a lot of talk about emigrants and their fear of death in the event of their return to Russia is sheer nonsense, and is made primarily to stir up charitable feelings for thera, and to elicit donations for their maintenance. If further proof of Russia's attitude is needed, I need only cite the case of the return of several hundreds of adherents of Baron Wrangel's cause, who have not met with any untoward action at the hands of the Government. For example General Slatcheff, who was one of General Wrangel's most reactionary lieutenants during the Crimean episode, was given the post of military tactician in the Officers' training school, with full rank and pay.
"Speaking of cadets, I might add a few words about the military cadets here in Shanghai. Russia never did nor will make war on children whom she does not consider either as political or criminal offenders. She will not retaliate against them or punish them for any acts, even though some were committed by them against their mother country. If any of these
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.