WHAT IS THE OBSTACLE?

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 117, 20 May 1939, Page 10

WHAT IS THE OBSTACLE?

RUSSIAN PROPOSALS

MR. CHAMBERLAIN PRESSED

(Received May 20, 2.10 p.m.)

LONDON, May 19,

Speaking in the House of Commons debate, the Liberal Leader, Sir Archibald Sinclair, said: "It will breakdown the veil, if it is clearer what Britain's objections to the Russian proposals are."

Mr. Chamberlain: I have made it perfectly clear. Surely you realise that I must walk warily. % Mr. Lloyd George: It is vital to us to know who stands in the way.

Mr. Chamberlain: I must decline to say. It. may be vital to you, but it is deadly to our policy, the success of which will be served by not pressing us unduly to disclose the exact point of our difficulties.

Mr. Winston Churchill (Conservative) said he was unable to understand the objection to making an agreement with Russia in the broad and simple, form they proposed. "I don't see what is wrong with an alliance to resist further aggression," he said. Why shrink from becoming an ally of Russia now when by that very fact they might prevent war? He did not believe Poland was the obstacle. Mr. Churchill added that Nazi subjection of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia would affect Poland. It would not be an extension of Britain's risks to apply the guarantee to them, because Britain was up to the neck in it already. Mr. Anthony Eden (Conservative) said that he wished to see a tripartite alliance between England, France, and Russia based on complete reciprocity and applicable to the whole of Europe, supplemented by compulsory national service in Britain. ■■■

The Under-Secretary of Foreign Affairs (Mr. R. A. Butler), winding up the debate, repudiated the idea that Turkey would not move to man a ship in the Mediterranean without Russian agreement. A tripartite military alliance would be a big departure in British policy, and therefore the Government was approaching the matter with caution and proper time and consideration.

A Liberal amendment to reduce the

Foreign Office Vote was defeated by 220 votes to 96, and the debate concluded.

PRESS COMMENTS

COMMONS UNITY HAILED

MISGIVINGS OVER DELAY

(Received May 20, 2 p.m.)

LONDON, May 20

The "Daily Telegraph," in a leader, >hails the unity of the House of Commons on the question of foreign policy but points out the misgivings which are evident regarding the delay in concluding the Anglo-Russian agreement.

"Mr. Chamberlain added little to his statement of May 11," adds the "Daily Telegraph," though it admits that the Government has cogent reasons at the present time for rejecting the Russian proposals. Much, however, can be said for the agreement, while the delay encourages the axis Powers. Therefore it is hoped that Lord Halifax will reach an early agreement as a result of his talks with M. Daladier and M. Bonnet.

The "News Chronicle" does not regard Mr. Chamberlain's statement as reassuring, and emphasises the urgency of an agreement between Britain, France, and Russia, which may be attainable under the aegis of the League.

The "Daily Herald" declares that the demands of the trades unions for control of prices, the conscription of wealth, and the - completion of- the Anglo-Russian agreement voice the feelings of the vast majority of the British people.

"The Times" says that M. Maisky has again declared that Russia insisted on a three-Power pact as the surest means of co-operation in the event of war. The Government hopes to reply to the Soviet next week after consulting other Governments. '