SOVIET PLAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 65, 18 March 1938, Page 7

SOVIET PLAN.

POWERS' CONFERENCE Proposal to Check Further Aggression. "WORLD MASSACRE" DANGER. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 12 Doon.l JjOXDOK, March 12. A message from Moscow states that M. Litvinolf, reaffirming the Czechoslovakian Treaty obligations, invited the Powers, including t lie United States, but excepting Italy. Japan and Germany, to a conference to discuss methods of checking the aggressor nations. "If the invitation is not accepted, the Soviet will support her obligations alone," he said.

In making the invitations, M. Litvinoff suggested that the conference be held at (ieneva, or at any other suitable place. Danger of World Massacre. He- added that Russia was ready to participate in collective action aiming at checking further aggression and eliminating the increased danger of a newworld massacre. M. Litvinoff said that he was not inviting Italy. Japan or Germany, because it was useless to argue about aggression with aggressors. Unlike tlie Chinese and Spanish wars, which chiefly affected contiguous countries, the Austrian occupation immediately menaced the nations. Asked how it would be possible to help Czechoslovakia without a common frontier, he replied: "Where there is a will there is a way."' "The Polish-Lithuanian incident is viewed with alarm here." he added, "because Polish anti-Lithuanian demonstrations have already created a prewar situation." The Soviet warned the world that international inaction and impunity to aggression in one case would lead to a multiplication of other cases. Continuing his statement. M. Litvinoff said: "The conquest of small nations will create promises for pressure or even attacks against larger States. The danger threatens to grow into new international conflicts and already manifests itself in the alarming PolishLithuanian situation."' Responsibility of Peoples' Destiny. The Great Powers were faced with the responsibility for the destiny of the peoples of Europe and of the world. The Soviet was prepared to take up a course within or outside the League of Xations in the form of discussions with other Powers of such practical measures as the circumstances demanded. "It may be too late to-morrow," he declared, "but to-day there is time. All is not yet gone if all States, and particularly the (.treat-Powers, take a firm and not ambiguous stand." M. Ivan Maisky, the Soviet Ambassador. called at the Foreign Office and presented tlie full text of it. Litvinoff"s speech, with a Note indicating that the views expressed represented the view of the Soviet Government. NOT AN INVITATION. Britain Would Not Accept Russian Proposal. SCORN IN BERLIN. (Received 2 p.m.) LONDON". .March 17. The Australian Associated Press understands that the Soviet has not actually invited the Powers to confer, but has as a preliminary asked whether they desire that such an imitation should be issued.

It is certain that Britain will not accept the proposal as acceptable. It would constitute a definite lining up of democracies against dictatorships. The. "Daily Telegraph" Berlin correspondent says that semi-official quarters pour scorn on the Russian proposal.