Russia and the League

Manawatu Times, Volume LIX, Issue 7470, 22 May 1934, Page 7

Russia and the League

MAY BECOME MAJOR ISSUE IN EUROPEAN DIPLOMACY United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright.) Received Alonday, 7.35 p.m. LONDON, May 21. The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent says: “Russia’s inclination to join the League bids fair to become a major issue in European diplomacy. Due to fear of Japan on one hand and Germany on the other, Russia hopes, as a member of tho League, to gain moral and diplomatic support, particularly against Germany. France desires to bring Russia into the League in order to strengthen the anti-German elements, France holding that Aloscow’s membership at Geneva would help to justiiy an indirect alliance between Franco, Russia, Czechoslovakia and certain Baltic Powers. “AL Litvin off believes that Russia will derive political prestige by joining the League the moment Japan and Gcrii’iny have w.th-irawu .Moscow however, is more intent upon a pact. <>i mutual guarantees than a League membership;' I'cnce AL Litvinoff is anxious to submit his plan for a pact to tlii Disarmament Conference immediately, instead of awaiting the League Assembly in September. “At.' Litvinoff will certainly fail to make the pact comprehensive, as Britain, Italy and Poland arc not going to bo responsible for the defence of the Soviet’s frontiers. Belgium, Jugoslavia and Rumania are similarly doubtful. Indeed, some of Franco’s allies arc alarmed that she may be saddled with a liability to defend the Soviet frontier, and even question Russia’s suitability for League membership, owing to it. arousing controversies.”