AGAINST AGGRESSION

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 April 1939, Page 7

AGAINST AGGRESSION

INCLUSION OF SOVIET DISCUSSIONS PROCEEDING [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESd.] RUGBY, April 15. Added significance is given to yestetrday’s interview between the Soviet Ambassador (M. Maisky) and the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Viscount Halifax) by Ministerial statements in both Houses on Thursday of the importance which the Government attaches to the part this may play in the new policy towards European peace. Arrangements have been made for the British Ambassador in Moscow to see the Commissar . for Foreign Affairs (M. Litvinov) to-morrow, and it is anticipated that the possibilities of associating the Soviet Government in a system of pacts against aggression, in which London and Paris have taken the initiative, will be discussed. The British United Press . reports

that it is authoritatively stated that as a preliminary to bringing the Soviet into an anti-aggression pact, France and Britain are seeking a Pol-ish-Roumanian agreement to accept Soviet Air Force assistance in the event of aggression.

Conversation on this matter, and on general Soviet military collaboration, are progressing satisfactorily. A report from Bucharest states that the Roumanian Prime Minister (M. Calinescu) said: “The British and French declarations, made spontaneously in terms of friendship, have moved us. Such manifestations, from wherever they come, create confidence an understanding, which is urgently, neede.d” While the conversations between Lord Halifax and M. Maisky were proceeding in London, the French Foreign Minister (M. Bonnet) was in consultation with the Russian Envoy in Paris.

Meanwhile, consultations on the new security system are being continued between Britain and Turkey. Account is being taken not only of Britain’s concern in Turkey’s independence, but also of Turkey’s own weighty influence in the cause of peace throughout the Balkans. In view of Britain’s pledge to Roumania, importance is attached by the

newspapers to the movements of the Roumanian Foreign Minister (M. Gafencu), who will visit Brussels on April 21, immediately after a visit to Berlin.

It has been indicated to him that he will be very welcome in London if he wishes to come when he leaves Belgium. No formal invitation has been sent, but there is much to discuss concerning the British assurance, and his visit would provide an excellent opportunity.

RESERVES DEMOBILISED. BUCHAREST, April 15. The Government is demobilising a number of classes of reserves recently called up as a result of the Hungarian Minister’s statement that Hungary will respect Roumania’s frontiers. ITALY AND JUGOSLAVIA. ATHENS, April 15. Negotiations are proceeding in connection with the reported Italian proposal to guarantee the north-west frontier of Jugoslavia. GERMANS IN POLAND. BERLIN, April 15. The Official News Agency reviews stories of terrorism among the German minority in Poland. It alleges that three Germans were beaten in the village of Altdorf because they spoke German.

It accuses the Young Poland League of incitement in numerous districts. HITLER’S BIRTHDAY. BERLIN, April 16. One of the features of the celebrations of Herr Hitler’s birthday on April 20, will be the delivery of a letter conferring on him honorary citizenship of Danzig.