In one way, of course, one may appreciate the attitude of the Sovi for not parting with the Chinese Eastern for a song or roubles; it was probably thinking of its obigations to the Russo-Asiatic Bank! These obligations have been assumed in the agreement on geners principles. In this connexion, it is interesting to mention that there has been quite a split between Mr. Karakhan and Moscow on the sub-Ject of the Bank. Mr. Karakhan wanted to rub out the Bank's account, which is the account of the shareholders, and to regard the institution as non-existent. Although the nationalization of private institutions is a favourite hobby in Soviet Russia, its present rulers differed from their representative in Peking in this particular application of the code of the Third International. A sharp dispute arose, the writer understands, the outcome of which was that' Mr.
Davtian, who was in favour of shareholders,' returned to Moscow.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.