BRITAIN AND SOVIET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23811, 18 May 1939, Page 12

BRITAIN AND SOVIET

PROPOSED AGREEMENT A FRENCH SUGGESTION LONDON, May 16. The Paris correspondent of the British United Press says if England and the Soviet fail to reach agreement on the British plan it is hoped that the French proposals will meet the case. These are understood to envisage remodelling the original Franco-Soviet alliance into an agreement for mutual aid in the event of either being involved in war arising out of the anti-aggression scheme. Britain would then be involved through the Franco-British alliance, since if France become involved in war by helping Russia against an act of aggression Britain would automatically come to the assistance of France. It is understood that Russia did not favour this suggestion when it was first made, but it is expected that the discussions with M. Bonnet on May 20 will produce a better impression. SOVIET COMMUNICATION EARLY REPLY BY BRITAIN (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, May 16. There will be no delay in sending the British reply to the Russian communication on Eastern European security questions. Lord Halifax leaves on Saturday for Geneva, and will have conversations en route with M. Daladier and M. Bonnet in Paris. The Anglo-Russian negotiations will naturally be the subject of references in Friday’s House of Commons foreign affairs debate.