SOVIET PROMISE OE HELP

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22354, 18 March 1938, Page 13

SOVIET PROMISE OE HELP

“Fulfil Pledges To Czechoslovakia”

GREAT GARRISONS KEPT IN PREPAREDNESS

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Received March 17,. 11.55 p.m.) t

LONDON, March 17.

A high Soviet official’s statement that the Soviet will fulfil its pledges to Czechoslovakia provided France does the same can be accepted as an expression of a decision finally and irrevocably reached, says the Moscow correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph.” It is no secret that frequent and prolonged conversations have occurred between the staffs of the Czech and Russian armies.

The Soviet authorities deny that there is any movement of troops', but the Commissar for Defence (M. Voroshilov) repeatedly declared that great garrisons in western Russia were being kept in a state of preparedness, both in training and in munitions.

“A MOMENTOUS ISSUE”

EUROPEAN SITUATION GROWS WORSE

“KEEP OUT” POLICY URGED IN BRITAIN

LONDON, March 16

The European situation has , become immeasurably during the last 24 hours, and Britain is now confronted v wijh the most momentous issues since the last war, states the Australian Associated Press.

These issues demand urgent decisions, any one of which, if in the wrong direction, might plunge the British Empire into a war. The fact that Cabinet has still not devised a policy to meet the new situation, apart from its reaffirmation of adherence to non-interven-tion in Spain, reflects the Government’s difficulties. Rumours current in the lobbies before the debate suggesting Cabinet differences and the possibility of the Government resigning, somewhat exaggerated the position, but it is gathered that definite differences exist. Some members of Cabinet consider that Britain must make a stand without delay with France or other League States, otherwise Germany will overrun Europe. The majority of Cabinet members oppose drastic action and back Mr Chamberlain’s “keep out” policy. The Paris correspondent of “The Times” states that the French Foreign Minister (M. Paul-Boncour), who received the British Ambassador (Sir Eric Phipps), expressed fears of early German aggression against Czechoslovakia, and reaffirmed categorically, France’s determination to honour her treaty obligations to Czechoslovakia. Apart from the Opposition parties, whose policy is complete and immediate intervention in conjunction with collective action with the League States, the feeling in the House, particularly on the Government benches, is of considerable uncertainty. The situation, which changes from minute to minute, was that to-day Spain, within a few hours, had replaced Czechoslovakia as the focal point in a crisis which nobody in responsible quarters disguises is as menacing as in 1914. Issue Before Britain The issue before the British Government, which is now one concerning the Dominions as vitally as Britain, can be summed up thus: If General Franco succeeds, France will &e faced with Fascist States on her three frontiers. France, who is appealing for Britain’s co-operation, considers that if this is tolerated it will reduce her to impotence. She conceives her eastern frontier becoming as vital to Britain as to herself. Consequently the French foresee the Fascist challenge to themselves as a challenge to the British Empire. Behind the constant consultations at Downing Street with the Dominions, lies intense anxiety that the march of international events is heading to disaster. The reason why the Dominions are being so intimately consulted is because, as it was expressed in one quarter, it is a case of nobody can be out of . step. It is imperative that the fear and apprehension created in Europe should not be allowed to continue, otherwise war is inevitable. It is expected that this position will require the _ earliest declaration of the Dominions’ policies.

The diplomatic correspondent of the Australian Associated Press states that rumours, which should still be treated reservedly, are circulating in the lobbies that Cabinet is divided over Spain and Czechoslovakia, and that Mr Chamberlain might be compelled to resign. * In this event, it is rumoured that Mr Winston Churchill would endeavour to form a Government.

The High Commissioners for the Dominions will confer with Mr Chamberlain and Lord Halifax tonight. It is believed that the gravity of the situation, especially because of developments in Spain, necessitates the Dominions indicating their attitudes without delay.