Czech – Soviet Treaty

Northern Advocate, 14 December 1943, Page 3

Czech - Soviet Treaty

LONDON, Dec. 13.

The treaty represents a return to the policy that Czechoslovakia and Russia were carrying out before the war,” said the President of Czechoslovakia (Dr. Benes) interviewed at Moscow after the signing of the Czech-Russian treaty, says Reuter’s Moscow correspondent. He added that it emphasises what all the great Allied powers have several times emphasised before, namely, the the German drive eastwards must be definitely ended and the gangster policy of Germany must not be repeated. Details of Pact Moscow radio gave the text of-the treaty signed yesterday in Moscow between the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia. The treaty has the aim of completing and extending the treaty signed in Prague in May, 1935, and confirming the conditions of the 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 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. The third article 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.

Four states that in the post-war period, close collaboration will take place between the two countries and economic relations have to be developed. The signatories stress respect for each other’s sovereignty and underline the principles of non-interference in each other’s internal affairs. Five states that no one of the signatories can conclude a treaty or take part in a coalition directed against the other signatory. In Force Immediately Six states that the treaty comes into force at once. Ratification will take place as soon as possible and ratification documents will be exchanged in Moscow. The treaty is concluded for 20 years from the time 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. The 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. After signing the treaty M. Kalinin and Dr Benes spoke, expressing great satisfaction with the treaty and stressing its importance in the fight of all freedomloving peoples.