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Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 157, 6 July 1939, Page 11

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RUSSIA'S DEMANDS. French Writer Says Chamberlain Bungled Talks. NEW PROPOSALS MOOTED. United Press Association. —Copyright. (Received 1.30 p.m.) RUGBY, July 5. The French Foreign Office is sending M. Corbin, the French Ambassador in London, new proposals for submission to Britain in order to meet Russia's latest objections. The Soviet's new demands took France by surprise, not being compatible with the favourable report received after M. Molotoff's interview with M. Xaggiar and Sir William Seeds on Saturday. The French Press unanimously denounces the continued dragging-out of the negotiations. "Pertinax" declares that Mr. Chamberlain has bungled the talks from the beginning, and suggests that someone not connected with the Munich settlement should proceed to Moscow and speak direct with M. Stalin.

Sections of the French Press affirm that Moscow "is raising its price every time Herr Hitler puts the democracies in a sweat over Danzig."

"The Times," editorially commenting on the pact negotiations, points out that the Baltic States must admit that Russia might have overrun them at any time in the past 20 years, but has not made any such attempt. If Germany and Russia went to war they would inevitably be drawn in, for command of the Baltic woiild be the principal objective of both parties, and the ports of the maritime States would be prizes of incalculable value which each belligerent would be determined to win. Mr. Chamberlain Questioned. Mr. Chamberlain stated in the House of Commons that the Soviet reply regarding the Xon-aggression Pact had •been received yesterday, and was being considered in consultation with France, eavs a British official wireless message. In official circles it is not expected that fresh instructions to Sir William Seeds and M. Naggiar will be dispatched (before to-morrow evening at the earliest. It is aeeumed that the Cabinet, which met twice to-day, was concerned among other matters with the Moscow negotiatione. Mr. Chamberlain's statement gave rise to the following exchange of questions and answers in the House of Commons:—■ ! Dr. Dalton (Labour): Iβ it true, ae stated in the Press to-day, that one of the outstanding difficulties to new proposals put forward by the Government for a further extension of the list of State* to be guaranteed? Mr. Chamberlain: I do not think it i* desirable to enter into details of what differences are yet unsolved. It would be a mistake to suppose that difficulties arise from one side only. Dr. Dalton: These negotiations have now been dragging on for three months. Doe* the Prime Minister realise that ho has been treated with great forbearance in the Hou«e and country? MrR. B. Pilkington (Con.. Widnef): Is Mr. Chamberlain aware that there is doubt beginning to grow in this country whether the Soviet wants this treaty?

Mr S. V. Adams (Con., W. Leeds) asked if the Government considered sending a Cabinet Minister to Moscow. Xo further answer was given by Mr. Chamberlain.