THE SOVIET AND EUROPE

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21436, 30 March 1935, Page 13

THE SOVIET AND EUROPE

♦ Fear of German Aggression BRITAIN IN KEY POSITION DESIRE for far eastern SECURITY PACT (UNITE!' rp.JtS'S A&3oL'lA*ilo3l —BY ELECTRIC T£LZGKAPB — COPYRIGHT.: (Received March 20. 7.10 p.m.) LONDON, March 28. The diplomatic correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" from Moscowgays: "M. Maxim Litvinoff (Soviet Foreign Minister) gave Mr R. A. Eden (Lord Privy Seal) an account of the relations between Russia and Germany during the last two or three vears, demonstrating how they had become progressively worse, and citing the German refusal of March, 1934, to conclude a Baltic pact.

"He added: 'My own conviction is that Germany contemplates eastern aggression.' The special correspondent of ".the Times" in Moscow says: "The Soviet believes that whether Europe moves to peace or war ultimately depends on Great Britain. Russia is most anxious for peace, but Germany's intentions, as revealed in 'Mein Kampf' (Herr Hitler'a book) and Herr F. von Rosenberg's utterances are alarming. Russia's fears can only be removed by German participation in a pact for automatic and mutual assistance against, an aggressor. The German arguments against such a pact arc regarded as insincere and equally applicable to the Locarno treaties. "Mr Eden frankly explained his own opinion of the Berlin conversations. M. Litvinoff expressed the opinion that the German conscription law had created an entirely new situation. He also emphasised the importance the Soviet attached to the League of Nations system. Dangers ot Present Position "The view of the Soviet, is that if the paramount aim of British yolicy is really peace, then Great Britain must support, the Russian claim for security against the peacebreakers. Peace cannot be secured in Western Europe and left to look after itself in Eastern Europe." "A firm British attitude in 1914," says "Izvcstia." "would have pre-

vented the war. The position to-day is analogous. The danger is equally great, and the possibility of war is almost as imminent." According to the Moscow correspondent of the "News-Chronicle' M. Litvinoff also intends raising the possibility of a far eastern security pact, including Great Britain, Russia, and the United States of America, in which Japan would be invited to join. Such a pact, with or without Japanese co-operation, would be an immense triumph for Russian diplomacy. LABOUR SERVICE PRECEDENCE OVER ARMY BERLIN, March 28. ''The reintroduction of conscription does not affect the necessity for labour service," said Herr Hierl. the Labour service leader, when addressing the labour congress. "The army's mission is the protection of Germany from external foes, while labour service is the practical application of Nazism. It is a guarantee that Germans will not again be sundered by class differences. "Labour service in future will precede military service. It is proposed to create a new type of Workman, like the soldier or sailor or following such a conception on that of a gentleman. Moreover, labour service is essential to assure the food supply, as was by the Allied blockade in wartime." He added that by land amelioration Germany would increase her agricultural produce by £ 160,000,000 8 year, and keep 250,000 persons emPloyed for 4f) years. uniformed forces in THE SAAR FRENCH ATTITUDE GENEVA. March 28. It is disclosed that in the exchange °f notes between France and Gertoany on February 28. about the demilitarisation of the Saar, M. Pierre Laval (French Foreign Minister) e "iphasised that because of the characteristics of the Black Guards. Storm Troops, and compulsory labour formations, France would be compelled to enter the fullest reservations about their presence. BALKAN STATES IN CONFERENCE AGAINST rearming of NEIGHBOURS PRAGUE, March 28. E. Benes (Czechoslovakian ' foreign Minister) and M. Nicholas £*** (Rumanian Prime Minis- . r ) were in conference throughout o-day. Dr. Benes later stated that ne conversations confirmed the agreement of the Little Entente to ; esist the rearming of Hungary and "ulgaria.