RUSSO-CZECH TREATY

Grey River Argus, 15 December 1943, Page 5

RUSSO-CZECH TREATY

Outline of Contents

[Aust. & N.Z. Press Assn.] LONDON, Dec. 13. Dr Benes received an ovation when he appeared in a Moscow theatre a few hours after signing a treaty for’ Czechslovakia with the Soviet. He was .accompanied by President Kalinin and M. Molotov. M. Kalinin and Dr Benes spoke, expressing great satisfaction with the treaty and stressing its importance in the fight of all freedom-loving peoples. Moscow radio gave the text of the treaty, which aims at completing and extending a treaty signed at Prague in May, 1935, and at confirming the conditions of a treaty signed between the Soviet and the Czech Republic in July, 1941, in London. It consists of six articles. The first refers to mutual assistance, military and of other kinds, in the war against Germany and all other aggressors in Europe. The second states that both sides contract not to sign a peace treaty or armistice with the Hitlerite Government or another German Government which will not denounce aggressive aims. Clause three states that if in the post-war period one of the signatories is attacked again by Germany the other signatory will render at once military and all other aid. Clause four states that in the post-war period ’’close collaboration will take place between the two countries and economic relations will have to be developed. The signatories stress respect for each other’s sovereignty and underline the principles of non-interference with each other’s internal affairs. Clause five states that no one of the signatories cafi conclude a treaty or take part in a coalition directed, against the other signatory. Clause six states that the treaty comes into force at once. Ratification will take place as soon as possible, and the ratification documents will be exchanged in Moscow. The treaty is concluded for 20 years from the tim e of signing, and if one signatory does not give notice 12 months before the end of the period the treaty will be automatically prolonged for another five years. A protocol attached stresses that if a third Power who is not an ally of Germany should wish to join in the treaty this will be made possible on mutual agreement. U.S.A. COMMENTS. (Rec. 8.55) NEW YORis., Dec. 14. The “New York Times” editorially comments on the C’zecho-Russian Treaty. It recalls when bilateral treaty negotiations between the two countries started, the British Government placed obstacles in the way, because it was feared that such a pact might cause dissension among the Foies and the other exiled Allied governments that are suspicious of Russian intentions. It also might provide • new material for German propaganda (using the Bolshevist bogey to create dissension among the Allies. “The Times” says: “The signing of the treaty indicates that either m the Moscow or the Teheran conferences, some progress was made towards a close alignment in policy between the Kremlin and Downing Street.” Polish Offer to Soviet TO SIGN SAME TREATY AS CZECHS. (Rec. .30.) LONDON, Dec. 13. Authoritative Polish quarters in London comment on the signing of the Russo-Czech treaty. They said that the treaty is based on the principle of the Soviet Union respecting Czechoslovakia’s independence, and sovereignty, and also of the Soviet Union not interfering with Czechoslovakia’s internal affairs. If the Soviet Union would apply the same principle to the Polish Republic, then the Polish Government is ready to sign a Tripartite Treaty within 24 hours.