BRITAIN AND RUSSIA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 10 May 1939, Page 5

BRITAIN AND RUSSIA

NON-AGGRESSION PACT ! EASTERN EUROPEAN SECURITY PROGRESS OF NEGOTIATIONS RUGBY. Bth May. A further stage in the discussions on the Eastern European security question was marked yesterday by the receipt by the British Ambassador in Moscow, Sir William Seeds, of communications from London bearing on the proposals and coun-ter-proposals which recently passed between Moscow' and London. Britain's reply to the latest Soviet observations was put into final form in i consultation between the Prime MinisI ter and Lord Halifax (Foreign Minister) after the latter had had an inter- ! view with the Russian Ambassador in i London. M. Maisky, and it is expected that this latest expression of the views j of the British Government will to-day ;be presented to M. Molotov, the new ( Soviet Foreign Minister. Though the terms of this communica- ; tion had not been revealed, the general 1 attitude of Britain, which has undergone no material change in the past J few days, is well known. Britain and ! France have declared that their fullest j help will be immediately forthcoming i in the event of any threat to the indej pendence of Poland. Rumania or Greece ; being resisted bv force by those counj tries. In addition. the discussions I which are still proceeding in Ankara j have revealed the fullest understanding j between Britain and Turkey. ASSURANCE INVITED It may be assumed, therefore, that Moscow is now being invited to give an assurance of her readiness to assist Poland and Rumania if they should become the victims of aggression as and when requested by them in the knowledge that Britain and France would already have moved in fulfilment of their assurances. TALKS IN MOSCOW | BRITISH REPLY EXPECTED I -U P A -Hv Electric Telegraph Copyright! [ (Received 10th May. 9.0 a.m.) MOSCOW, fith May. The British Ambassador, Sir William Seeds, and the Soviet Foreign Minister, M. Molotov, met for two hours yesterday and made progress toward clarifying the positions of the two countries. Sir William Seeds explained the British reply to the Soviet proposals. In the meanwhile the Soviet is pushing ahead with its military preparedness. Fourteen military academies yesterday passed out 2143 graduates and are now training more than 200,000.

REPORT ISSUED NO PROVISION FOR RECIPROCAL t HELP ’ (Received 10th May. 12.45 p.m.) , MOSCOW, 9th May. i report was issued in which it was stated: 'Britain’s reply asks the Soviet to give immediate assistance if Britain ' and France are involved in military operations in the execution of their obligations towards Poland and Rumania.” It adds: “The British counterproposals to which France has not ob- > iected do not include provisions for rej ciprocal British and French help if the t Soviet is similarly involved in the exe--1 cution of obligations undertaken re- ; garding any European state. i ■ LITVINOV’S RESIGNATION I i NO CHANGE IN FOREIGN POLICY I British Official Wireless] (Received 10th May. 10.25 a.m.) ’ i RUGBY, 9th May. Reports of yesterday’s friendly con- ■ versation between Sir William Seeds. 1 British Ambassador, and M. Molotov, Soviet Foreign Minister, and the Soviet Premier have reinforced the opinion held in official circles in London as a result of earlier assurances that M. Litvinov’s resignation does not portend any change in the general direction or in the main objectives of the Soviet's foreign policy. The considered views of the Soviet on the British attitude, as expressed by Sir William Seeds, must now be awaited. ANGLO-TURKISH AGREEMENT Ankara reports indicate that an early announcement of an AngloTurkish agreement may be expected. Britain, throughout her consultations with these powers. has maintained the closest contact with France. INFLUX OF GERMANS TO WESTERN POLAND SEEKING WORK ON FRONTIER WARSAW. 9th May. The attention of the Polish authori- : ties have been directed to a large number of Germans recently arriving on ( the western frontier from different dis- ' tricts in Poland, pretending to be unemployed and seeking work. This sudden influx of Germans who i have nothing to do with the local popu- ' lation nor any apparent reason for i their presence caused the Government { to return 300 to their former places ot residence. RAW MATERIALS SERIOUS SHORTAGE IN BOHEMIA (Received 10th May, 1135 a in.) BUDAPEST. 9th May. There is a serious shortage of raw materials in Bohemia and several textile and chemical works are expected to close down