AID FOR CHINA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23413, 31 January 1938, Page 9

AID FOR CHINA

THREE POWERS COLLABORATE A REPORTED AGREEMENT CREDITS AND SUPPLIES

(United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

GENEVA, Jan. 29

(Received Jan. 30, at 6.30, p.m.)

. Great importance is attached to private meetings between the British Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Mr Anthony Eden), the French Minister of Foreign Affairs (M. Delbos), the Soviet Commissar of Foreign Affairs (M. Latvinov) and the Chinese delegate (Dr Wellington Koo). It is understood that the meetings have reached a tentative agreement to a plan to assist China, but the French adherence will depend on the approval of the French Prime Minister (M. Chautemps). The United States will also be asked to collaborate.

Dr Koo is reported to have demanded action by the League of Nations, but the meeting decided to assist China outside the League machinery, with credits and supplies transported through Hongkong. This plan is said to be satisfactory to the Chinese, as they believe they can prolong the war into a stalemate if they continue to receive war material. THE AMERICAN ATTITUDE NEUTRALITY TO BE MAINTAINED \ WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 (Received Jan. 30, at 7.15 p.m.) The Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) and Senator Pittman derided the idea that the United States would participate in a scheme to aid China against Japan, which is purported to have been discussed at Geneva by British, Russian, Chinese and French representatives. Mr Hull said that no change was contemplated in the policy of the United States. Senator Pittman said the proposal was so contrary to the historic neutrality policy of the United _ States that credence could not be given to it. RUSSIA READY CO-OPERATION WITH OTHER POWERS SUPPRESSION OF JAPANESE . AGGRESSION LONDON, Jan. 28. The diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Telegraph reports that there are hints in London diplomatic circles of Russia’s readiness to co-operate in suppressing Japanese aggression in China, and quotes the assertion that the Soviet’s considerable military strength in the Far East has been increased by infantry and artillery divisions, a formidable air force one division of cavalry, and one division of engineers. . , , noo It is suggested that events in .1938 will determine whether all the States must abandon a policy based on collective security or reinforce it. The Soviet is ready to resist Japanese aggression in agreement with other Powers, notably Great Britain, which would be asked for compensatory guarantees for Russia s Far Eastern securities. . .' , . The predominant opinion is that the collective basis offers the Soviet the best foundation of peace and security. , , , ~ Another influential school believes that Russia should abandon the League of Nations and seek friends elsewhere. The latest development of the Soviet policy may be guided by anxiety lest Western European democracies and the totalitarian States might come to terms, with the democracies dismteresting themselves in East European developments. The implications of the situation may cause direct suggestions from M. Litvinov to Mr Eden at Geneva. A , It is significant that leaders of American opinion openly advocate an American fleet strong enough to secure unquestioned predominance in the Pacific, proceeding on the assumption that the British and French fleets must remain concentrated in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean.