BALTIC STATES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23830, 9 June 1939, Page 9

BALTIC STATES

NO DESIRE FOR GUARANTEE POLICY REMAINS UNCHANGED STRICT NEUTRALITY (British Official Wireless) (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) RUGBY, June 7. Mr Chamberlain, in the House oi Commons, said Britain had received several communications from Finland, Estonia, and Latvia indicating that in view of their intention to maintain strict neutrality, they did not wish to receive a guarantee as part of the present negotiations between Britain, France, and Russia. Questioned with regard to staff conversations with countries to which guarantees had been given, Mr Chamberlain said the normal method of maintaining staff contact with foreign countries was through service attaches. That procedure had been supplemented in recent months, and it was contemplated that it would be followed in other cases, but it would not be in the public interest to give any details. In connection with Mr Chamberlain’s announcement that a Foreign Office official is being sent to Moscow, it is learned that Mr William Strang, head of the Central Department ¥ the Foreign Office, will go to Moscow at an early date to render technical assistance to Sir William Seeds in further conversations with the Soviet. Sir William Seeds is for the present indisposed, and is thus unable to return to London for any consultations that might be desired. The Anglo-Soviet negotiations were reviewed at this morning’s Cabinet meeting, which lasted two hours and a-half. In connection with the strengthening of the peace front against aggression, importance is attached to yesterday’s meeting between Mr Chamberlain, Lord Halifax, and M. Raczynski, when, it is reported, technical progress, including military, economic, and financial aspects were discussed. MUTUAL SUPPORT BRITAIN AND RUSSIA ' , LONDON, June 7. Mr Chamberlain, in the House of Commons, said it had been decided to send a representative of the Foreign Office to Moscow to give the Ambassador full information concerning the Government’s attitude on all outstanding points. “In the last exchange of views general agreement on the main objects was attained,” he said. “We have satisfied the Soviet that Britain is prepared to enter into an agreement on the basis of full reciprocity and to be ready immediately without reserve to join France in giving Russia full military support in the event of aggression involving hostilities with a European Power. It is possible to imagine various cases in which any of the three Governments might feel its security menaced by the actions of other European countries.” He hoped it would be possible to find a formula acceptable to the trio to ensure co-operation. Manifestly, it was impossible to impose guarantees on certain States not desiring them on the ground that the guarantees would compromise their strict neutrality. It was hoped that the difficulties would not stand in the way of giving the greatest effect to mutual support against aggression.