SOVIET SUPPORT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22991, 19 March 1938, Page 15

SOVIET SUPPORT

CZECH INDEPENDENCE TREATY OBLIGATIONS CONFERENCE OF POWERS M. LITYINOKF'S AIMS By Telegraph—Press Association —-Copyright LONDON, March 12 A message from Moscow states that M. Litvinoff, Minister of Toreign Affairs, reaffirming the Chechoslovakian Treaty obligations, invited the Powers, including the United States, but excepting Italy, Japan and Germany, to a conference to discuss methods of checking the aggressor nations. "If the invitation is not accepted, the Soviet will support her obligations alone," he said. In making the invitations, M. Litvinoff suggested that the conference . V should be held at Geneva, or at any other suitable place. He added that Russia was ready to participate in collective action aiming at checking further aggression and eliminating the increased danger of a new world massacre. Aggressor Powers M. Litvinoff said he was not inviting Italy, Japan or Germany, because it was useless to argue about aggression with aggressors. Unlike the Chinese and Spanish wars, which chiefly affected contiguous countries, the Austrian occupation immediately menaced the nations. Asked how it would be possible to help Czechoslovakia without a common frontier, he replied: "Where there is a will there is a way. "The Polish-Lithuanian incident is viewed with alarm here," he added!, "because Polish anti-Lithuanian demonstrations have already created ai pre-war situation." The Soviet warned the world that international inaction and impunity to . V-, aggression in one case would lead to a multiplication of other cases. Continuing his statement, M. Lit-, vinoff said: "The conquest of small nations will create promises for pressure or even attacks against larger Spates. The danger threatens to grow into new international conflicts and already manifests itself in the alarming PolishLithuanian situation." Responsibility to World The Great Powers were faced with the responsibility for the destiny of the peoples of Europe and of the world. The Soviet was prepared to take up a course within or outside the League of Nations in the form of discussions with other Powers of such practical measures as the circumstances demanded. "It may be too late to-morrow," he declared, "but to-day there is time. All is not yet gone if all States, and particularly the great Powers, take a firm and not ambiguous stand." M. Jean Maisky, the Soviet Ambassador in London, called at the Foreign Office and presented the full text of M. Litvinoff's speech, with a Note indicating that the views expressed represented the views of the Soviet Government. The Australian Associated Press understands that the Soviet has not I actually invited thp -Powers to confer, 1 but as a preliminary has asked whether ' they desire that such an invitation should be issued. It is certain that Britain will not regard the proposal as acceptable. It would constitute a definite- lining up of democracies against dictatorships. The Berlin correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says semi-official quarters pour scorn on the Russian proposal.

GERMAN MINORITY IMPROVEMENT OF POSITION AGRARIAN PARTY'S DEMAND (Received March 18, 7 p.m.) .jf LONDON, March 18 The German Agrarian Party announced that while welcoming the Austro-German union; it is prepared to continue in the Government Coalition provided the position of the Sudeten Germans is improved, and the party will introduce bills on the subject out delay, according to a message from the Times' correspondent in Prague.

AMERICAN ATTITUDE CZECHS' INDEPENDENCE PRIMARILY EUROPEAN PROBLEM £ ————— (Received March 18, 7 p.m.) WASHINGTON. March 38 The State Department reserved comment on M. Litvinoff's invitation. It sieems there is little chance of the United States' participation ill such a conference, since it appeared it would be primarily concerned with Czechoslcivakian independence, which would be regarded as essentially a European problem not involving the United States.

MEDDLING IN EUROPE DOMINIONS' RELUCTANCE BRITAIN STANDING ALOOF (Received March IS, 7.40 p.m.) LONDON, March 18 The British Government has derided against a declaration promising support of Czechoslovakia, says the ciiplomatic correspondent of the Daily (Hail. Reactions from the Dominion Gorernments show reluctance to support a policy of meddling fn Central Europe, and the Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, is prepared to continue his policy of watchfulness without committing the ccuntry to any fresh obligation.

MR. LYONS APPROACHED NO KNOWLEDGE OF REPORT (Received March 18, 10.10 p.m.) / MELBOURNE, March 18 The Prime Minister, Mr. Lyons, said when questioned that he had no knowledge of the report that, the British Government had declared against. - a policy of supporting Czechoslovak^, be- - • cause of the opposition ions, and he was not prepared m t