INCLUDE SOVIET.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 88, 15 April 1939, Page 9

INCLUDE SOVIET.

LABOUR PROPOSAL.

Advantage To Dominions In Pacific. POINTS IN COMMONS DEBATE LONDON. April 14. In the course of the debate in the House of Commons, Dr. Hugh Dalton (Labonr) said it were better to suspend the operation of the AngloItalian agreement if it were not being denounced. He suggested that Britain should call a conference of the Montreux Powers. Labour desired an Anglo-French-Russian military alliance.

Russia was a great Pacific Power. Similarly Britain—to a lesser degree France—New Zealand. Australia and Canada all touched the Pacific. It would be common sense if Britain. Russia and

France were in concert for common action in the Pacific.

Sir John Simon, in winding up the debate, announced that communication with the British Minister to Albania had been re-established, but a full report was awaited. He added that there were good reasons for holding Italy to the Anglo-Italian agreement, regarding the provisions which the agreement still contained. Referring to Turkey, he said it was not possible to say more than that Britain had kept Turkey promptly informed and had been in the closest touch with her. Britain did not desire to exclude Russia or to fail io take full advantage of Russia's help in the cause of peace. Sir John added that shortly after the German occupation of Czechoslovakia Britain invited the Soviet to join a four-Power declaration. To this the Soviet agreed if France and Poland would do the same. Unfortunately it was impossible to realise this. He trusted the House would realise that the suggestion that Russia was not being consulted was not justified. Dr. Dalton asked if the Government at any time proposed a definite French-Soviet-British military alliance. Sir John Simon replied that it «- difficult to state certain things in public debate, but he would meet the point another way. There was no objection in principle to such a proposition. Britain's traditional policy, he added. had been to commit herself by precise assurances of military and naval aid in certain ' definite cases only, and that. regarding Europe generally, particularly j the parts furthest from Britain she should not undertake precise commitments but act as the case warranted. There was no fact more striking tlir". that it had been possible to transform this policy by adding a series of most formidable commitments, with the approval of the people, said Sir Jolm Simon. It would be well if the head---of totalitarian States considered this change. It was not a change in the nature of the British people, nor a sr.d- ---! den less of British historical senses, but I a change in Europe.

The House adjourned until next Tuesday.

PRELIMINARY MOVES.

Bringing Soviet Into Anti-

Aggression Pact.

POLO-RUMANIAN AGREEMENT

LONDON, April 14

I The British United Press says authoritatively that preliminary to bringing ' the Soviet into an anti-aggression pact. France and Britain are seeking a PoloRumanian agreement to accept Soviet air force assistance in the event of aggression. Conversations on this matter and on general Soviet military collaboration are progressing satisfactorily. 'PLANES FOR GREECE. BRITISH MACHINES UNLOADED. Independent Cable Service.

LONDON, April 14.

The Salonika correspondent of the "Daily Express" reports that British service aeroplanes are being unloaded at Piraeus. The three chief air bases at Athens. Larissa and Salonika will be immediately strengthened. It is understood that staff talks between British and Greek Naval representatives will commence shortly, preparatory to Britain being granted free entry to the Aegean Islands. It is estimated that Greece at present has 1,000,000 troops on a war time foot-