FOR TWENTY YEARS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 137, 12 June 1942, Page 5

FOR TWENTY YEARS

Miration of pact

LONDON, June 11

In the course of his speech in-the House of Commons, Mr. Eden said that the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom had reaffirmed their determination to afford one another/all possible assistance in the war.' They would not enter into any negotiations •with the Hitlerite Government or any other Government in Germany that did not clearly renounce all aggressive intentions. Neither country would make or negotiate, except by mutual consent* any armistice or peace treaty with Germany or • any other State associated with, her in acts of aggression in Europe. Britain and Russia had also agreed that they would, when peace was re-established, work together for the organisation of security and economic prosperity in Europe. In this work they would recognise the interests of the United Nations and be guided by two principles—not seeking territorial aggrandisement for themselves, and not interfering with the internal affairs of other States.

Mr. Eden said that the two Governments declared their desire to unite with other like-minded States in adopting proposals for common action to preserve peace and resist aggression in the post-war period. When the war was ended, they would take all the measures in their power to render impossible a repetition of aggression and violence of a peace by Germany or any other State associated with her in acts of aggression in Europe.

In regard to the provision that the treaty should remain in force until the contracting parties by mutual agreement recognised that it was superseded by the adoption of proposals for the long-term system of international security which the treaty contemplates as the goal, Air. Eden said that if such proposals were not adopted, the treaty would remain in force for 20 years and thereafter until it ivas terminated by either country.

The treaty, he said, contained a ratification clause, and both Governments were anxious that the treaty should come into force as soon as possible. The Minister said that the whole of the. terms of the agreement were published in a White Paper. "There are no secret engagements or commitments of any kind whatsoever," he said.

M. Maisky, Soviet Ambassador to this country, was in the House, and there were loud cheers when Mr. Eden made this statement.