WOOING RUSSIA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23381, 24 June 1939, Page 16

WOOING RUSSIA

BRITAIN AND FRANCE NO AGREEMENT YET PARLEYS SUSPENDED BALTIC STATES PROBLEM By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright LONDON, Juno 22 It is believed in informed quarters that Mr. W. Strang, British Foreign Office Counsellor, has failed in his negotiations for a peace front with M. Molotoff, Soviet Premier and Foreign Minister, although this does not imply a complete breakdown of the conversations. M. Molotoff summoned Mr. Strang and M. Paul-Emilo Naggiar, French diplomat, to a further mooting this evening. Sir William Seeds, British Ambassador, was also present. It is understood that M. Molotoff said tho revised British and French proposals were still unacceptable. It is believed in unofficial circles that tho Soviet is insisting upon castiron guarantees for tho Baltic States. It appears likely that tho talks will now bo suspended, ponding fresh instructions from tho British and French Foreign Offices. Tlio Times says tho Tass Agency's statement that tho now British and French proposals show no progress, is not taken too tragically in London. It is known that tho proposals embody all tho Soviet Government originally suggested, and also mark a definite advanco toward the recent demands regarding tho Baltic States. Pouter's agency says there is a feeling in diplomatic quarters that tho attitude of Itussia suggests that thero may bo some other underlying cause of tho delay than tho mere question of formula. CAUSE OF DELAY NEWSPAPER ASSERTION BRITISH COMMITTEE BLAMED Independent Cablo Service (Received Juno 23, 11.45 p.m.) london; Juno 23 Tho Daily Express states that tho rejection of the latest Anglo-Uronch proposals for a pact with tho Soviet is due to tho action of tho Foreign Affairs Committee of tho Cabinet, which added a clause providing for consultation between tho Powers in the event of aggression, after tho proposals had been approved by Franco without such a clause. This, says tho newspaper, accounts for the optimism of M. Bonnet, as against the Tass Agency's complaint that the proposals are not new..