TRFATY OF ALLIANCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 12 June 1942, Page 5

TRFATY OF ALLIANCE

BRITAIN AND RUSSIA POST-WAR COLLABORATION (Rec. 10.0 a.m.) Rugby, June 1 1. Mr Eden, announced in the House of Commons that an AngloRussian treaty of alliance and post-war collaboration was signed in London by himself and M. Molotov, Soviet Foreign Minister. “The treaty confirms our alliance with Russia during the war and after it, and provides that after the war our two countries will render each other mutual assistance against any further attack by Germany or her associates,” said Mr Eden. “It further provides that we will collaborate with one another and the other United Nations in a peace settlement and during the ensuing period of reconstruction on the basis of the principles set out in the Atlantic Charter.”

Mr Eden explained that when he was in Moscow in December to exchange views on the conduct of the war and the organisation of peace he invited M. Molotov to come to London to embody their agreement in a formal treaty. M. Molotov meanwhile was invited by President Roosevelt to visit him in Washington. M. Molotov arrived in London on 21st May and the treaty was signed on 26th May. The next day M. Molotov left for the United States. He had a safe journey there and back and had most useful and satisfactory discussions with President Roosevelt. M. Molotov had now returned to Moscow. Mr Eden outlined the terms of the treaty which would remain in force until the parties recognised it was superseded by the adoption of a long-term system of international security. He added that a full understanding was reached with regard to the urgent tasks of creating a second front in Europe in 1942. Discussions also took place on the supply of aeroplanes, tanks and other war material to be sent to the Soviet Union. “The House will join with me in welcoming the signature of this treaty and the prospect it opens up of active and fruitful co-operation in war and peace,” added Mr Eden. “We are assured that the treaty expresses exactly the common desire of the two Governments. We have been able to arrive at this happy result by our contact with M. Stalin and M. Molotov and by our complete mutual confidence. The treaty not only formalises and emphasises the closeness of collaboration between the two countries during the war: It affords also an indispensable basis for European reconstruction. This does not mean that our two countries alone will be responsible for the peace of Europe when the war is won. That is a burden which will be shared by all the United Nations. It means that without the closest understanding between Britain and the Soviet Union there can he no security or stability in Europe either for ourselves or any of our allies. The problems of peace are not. of course, for Europe alone, and I hope with sure confidence that the good work our two countries have accomplished will be welcomed by the President and the people of the United States and will enable our three countries to work together in the years of peace as in the hard times of war.”

I M. MOLOTOV IN UNITED STATES ' A Washington message says it is offi J cially announced that President Roose- : velt and M. Molotov reached a full understanding in conversations in I Washington with regard to the urgent I tasks of creating a second front in Europe in 1942. M. Molotov arrived at Washington on 29th May, following an invitation from President Roosevelt and was for some time the President's guest. The visit is stated to have afforded an opportunity for a friendly exchange of views between the President and his advisers and M. Molotov and his party. Measures for increasing and speeding up supplies of planes, tanks and other kinds of war material from the United States to the Soviet were discussed. Also discussed was the fundamental problem of the security of freedom-loving people after the war. Both sides express satisfaction at the unity of their views on all these questions. The President asked M. Molotov to inform M. Stalin that he feels the conversations have been most helpful in establishing a basis for fruitful close relationship between the two Governments in pursuit of the common objectives of the United Nations.—B.O.W.