IN BRITAIN

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1938, Page 5

IN BRITAIN

RUSSIAN ATTITUDE WILL ADHERE TO TREATY. ([United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). (Reeivced this day at 11 a.m.) LONDON, September 20. The Geneva correspondent of the British United Press says it is authoritatively learned that Russia will adhere to the Czech-Russian treaty binding the Soviet to intervene, only if .France assists the Czechs, but it is believed that if France does not fight, the Soviet will give the Czechs unofficial aid, similar to that given Spain and China.

PRESS COMMENT. PARIS j September 20. The Paris paper “Populaire,” alleges that certain Cabinet members, notably Sir S. Hoare, are prepared ho accept 'the dismemberment of Czechoslovakia without even giving a British guarantee that the new frontier would be respected. It says that Mr Duff-Cooper, Mr Hore Belisha, Mr MacDonald and Mr Elliott are strongly opposed to concessions to Nazism, and Lord Halifax is inclined to support them, as he disagrees with Mr Chamberlain oh many points. “The Times” Paris correspondent say's: One of the principal points M. Daladier made to Cabinet was that 'Britain, while not'disputing France’s right to honour' her 'tibligations to Czechoslovakia, refused to commit herself to military support unless France’s integrity was threatened. Therefore, M. Daladier declared it was his duty at least, to support the presentation of proposals to Prague.

BRITISH LABOUR COUNCIL. CONDEMNS COMPROMISE. LONDON, September 20. The Council of Labour after a long sitting, issued a statement as follows: The Council though desirous of maintaining peac.e, views with dismay the reported Anglo-French proposals for dismemberment of Czechoslovakia under Germany’s brutal threat of armed force, without consultation with Czechoslovakia.”

It declares: “This shameful betrayal of a peaceful democratic people constitutes a dangerous precedent.” The Council expressed also profound sympathy 'with the Czechs, and reaffirms a. conviction that enduring peace is obtainable only by re-estab-lishment of the rule of law, thereby ending lawless force in international relations.