Some reports suggest not. The French continued to insist on severing relations with the USSR, banning the British Communist Party, and stopping the wage rises under way in England. They argued that this was essential in view of the internal situation in France. But the British adhered to their former position in respect of the USSR (not to break off relations themselves, but to provoke the USSR into doing so) and said that considering their own internal situation, they could not bind themselves by any promises about wages. However, the British government was far more amenable on the matter of the Communist Party.

As far as Finland is concerned, the parties agreed to ‘speed up’ and ‘increase’ material aid to Finland and ‘stimulate’ the ‘volunteer’ movement.

On the day of the Supreme War Council meeting, the French police arranged a brazen raid on our trade mission. A true Arcos Raid,

A raid on the London offices of the Soviet trade delegation in May 1927 – the pretext for the severance of relations between the two countries; see Gorodetsky, Precarious Truce, pp. 221–31.

if not worse. Evidently, the French wanted to create a favourable ‘atmosphere’ in which the decision about breaking off relations with the USSR could be taken, and wished to tie the hands of the British in advance. For now, it seems, they have failed. Surits has sent a protest to the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

I’ve heard that members of the British government have already been sounding out Labour leaders about closing down the Communist Party. As might have been expected, Attlee and Greenwood said there were no obstacles from their side. But the British government has not yet taken decisive measures, as it is evidently uncertain about how the masses would react to such a move. Be that as it may, it would not be a surprise if the Communist Party and its press were banned in the near future. The forces of reaction are advancing rapidly.