TURN DOWN AXIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 101, 2 May 1939, Page 9

TURN DOWN AXIS.

MILITARY ALLIANCE.

Britain Must Give No Guarantee To Soviet in Far East.

REPORTED JAP. ATTITUDE.

Independent Cable Service.

(Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 1. It is learned that Britain and France have now been definitely informed that Japan will turn down the German offer for an Axis military alliance, provided Britain gives no guarantee to Russia regarding the Far East. It is understood that Britain intimated that her negotiations with Russia were not concerned with the Far East. TALKS CONTINUE. BRITAIN AND RUSSIA. (Received 1.30 p.m.) RUGBY, May 1. Regarding the progress of negotiations with the Soviet, Mr. Chamberlain told the House of Commons that conversations were proceeding with the Soviet, and that Viecount Halifax saw M. Maisky, Soviet Ambassador, on Saturday immediately after the latter's return from Moscow.

While Mr. Chamberlain fully recognised the desirability of making a statement at the earliest possible date, he could not say more for the time being.

Pressed further, Mr. Chamberlain said that proposals had been received from the Soviet, and conversations were still proceeding. He found it very difficult to enter into details about negotiations which were still in progress. 0 It was not a simple matter, and was one in which other Governments had to be considered besides the British Government, but the Prime Minister replied in the affirmative when asked whether the negotiations were being conducted with all poesible dispatch.