CZECHS ACTIVE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 169, 19 July 1941, Page 7

CZECHS ACTIVE

PACT WITH SOVIET

Britain Appoints Envoy To Dr. Benes I.'.P.A. ;iihl British Win-le--. Rec, 2 p.m. LONDON. July 18. An agreement between the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia has been signed by M. Maisky, Soviet, Ambassador in London, and Dr. Jan Masaryk. The Soviet war news published by the Soviet Embassy states that the agreement deals with the exchange of diplomatic representatives and the common struggle against Hitlerite Germany.

An agreement between the Soviet and the Czechoslovakia]! leaders provides for the formation in Russia of national Czechoslovak military units under a commander to be appointed by the Czechoslovak Government, in agreement, with Soviet units. It will operate under the direction of the Soviet military high command.

The Foreign Secretary. Mr. Anthony Eden, to-day received the Czechoslovak Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Jan Masaryk. and informed him of the decision of His Majesty's Government to accord full recognition to the Czechoslovak Government and of the King's decision to accredit an envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to Dr. Benes as President of the Czechoslovak Republic. His Majesty has approved the appointment of Mr. P. R. R. Nichols, who has been head of the Southern European section of the Foreign Office. Polish and Soviet Accord General Sikorski. Polish Prime Minister, addressing the Polish Air Force, said he entirely admired Mr. Churchill's view of the importance and urgency of the Polish and Russian agreement. "As for Germany. I flatly and resolutely reject, in the name of the Polish Government, the ostensible favours which Hitler's bloody executioners are seeking to offer us." he said. "On the contrary, having behind me the opinion and will of the nation, I publicly declare that we can have no agreement with Hitlerism."

He added that he sincerely desired an understanding with Russia, despite the wrongs Russia had recently done to Poland and despite 150 years of profound dispute. It must be a genuine agreement and not one which would violate the frontiers and sovereignty.