UNITED FRONT POSSIBLE

Southland Times, Issue 23773, 22 March 1939, Page 5

UNITED FRONT POSSIBLE

Eight-Power Bloc Against Hitler DEMOCRACIES AND RUSSIA Soviet’s Proposal For Conference (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Independent Cable Service) (Received March 21, 11.5 . p.m.) LONDON, March 21. A united front of eight Powers to oppose German imperialism in eastern and south-eastern Europe is possible as a result of diplomatic consultations in London.

At its meeting yesterday morning the British Cabinet is believed to have considered a suggestion by Russia that Britain should call an immediate conference of the Foreign Ministers of Britain, France, the Soviet, Poland and the Balkan States. According to wellinformed circles the Soviet Ambassador (M. Ivan Maisky) made the suggestion during a meeting with the Foreign Secretary (Viscount Halifax). M. Maisky then promised to consult his Government immediately about the British invitation to join a common front.

Lord Halifax is reported to have asked whether Britain could rely on the full military .support of the Soviet. M. Maisky replied that he was unable to undertake any commitment beyond current treaty obligations, but he said that the Soviet Foreign Minister (M. Maxim Litvinov) was most anxious to discuss the situation. It is understood that the British Government is in communication with the Soviet, Poland, Rumania, Yugoslavia, Turkey and Bulgaria about the situation in Central Europe. In the meantime precautionary measures have been taken in various directions, with the approval of the leaders of the Labour Opposition. The British consultations will probably continue. Russia, after Lord Halifax’s inquiries last Saturday, proposed summoning a conference, which Britain is considering. It is a question whether a conference would serve better the interests of peace than continuance of the diplomatic contacts between Britain and France on the one hand and Russia and Poland on the other. It is stated that the British Cabinet does not favour the Russian proposal for a conference. Though the chances of an early attack on Rumania are now discounted in London the Cabinet feels that the need for action is so urgent, in a situation so liable to produce a new crisis without warning, that there is no time for a full-dress conference, which would also have the disadvantage of taking important Ministers from key points at a critical time.

At the end of his visit to Turkey the Bulgarian Prime Minister issued a statement which emphasized the importance of the solidarity of the Balkan peoples and the necessity of close consultation.

NAZI VITUPERATION AGAINST BRITAIN

NO ITALIAN MESSAGE TO HITLER

(Independent Cable Service) (Received March 22, 1.5 a.m.)

BERLIN, March 21. The Nazi Press continues to vituperate against the democracies in general and Britain in particular. The Boersen Zeitung says:— “The fact that the British ‘clutch at the Soviet straw’ is not evidence of statesmanship but of conclusive hate, impotence and bottomless hypocrisy. The league Britain is organizing against us will not frighten us.” General Franco, the Spanish rebel leader, has sent a telegram to Herr Hitler congratulating him on the Czecoslovak coup. The fact that Signor Mussolini has not yet sent congratulations has not escaped the notice of the Nazi leaders, who it is believed understand it as a sign that II Duce is impatient of the German success while he continues to mark time. It is reported that FieldMarshal Goering will take to Italy a sop to Signor Mussolini in the shape of assurances by Herr Hitler of a large measure of support for the Italian claims in the Mediterranean.

FRENCH APPROVAL OF PLAN “IDEOLOGICAL BLOC OF PEACE” (Independent Cable Service) (Received March 22, 1.5 a.m.) PARIS, March 21. The French Press unanimously praises the plan for a common front. Le Populaire, the newspaper owned by M. Leon Blum, leader of the Socialists, praises Mr Chamberlain and Lord Halifax, who it says are now applying themselves to effacing the bitter memories the events of September left in the minds of the leaders of Soviet Russia. “The Soviet rapprochement with Britain will be followed by an ‘ideological bloc’ of peace,” says La Populaire. “MASSING OF FORCES” ESSENTIAL ARCHBISHOP’S APPROVAL OF COMMON FRONT (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received March 21, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 21. “Though it is painful to contemplate the massing of forces we are driven to do it because we are convinced that some things are more sacred than peace,” said the Archbishop of Canterbury (Dr Cosmo Lang) in the House of Lords. “There must be union among all who value the ideals of peace and freedom. “Many have found co-operation with Russia difficult, but where supremo questions are concerned we must be

ready to accept help from any quarter.” Dr Lang recalled his own appeal to the heads of the churches of Europe in 1935 and the issue of a simultaneous appeal for peace. He added that he was mindful to renew the invitation but much, he said, depended whether the Pope would give leadership. It was not inconceivable that under the Pope’s leadership the other Christian leaders would willingly issue an appeal. The Archbishop promised that all leaders of the Anglican and Orthodox Protestant churches would give simultaneous support. In a sermon Dr Lang said: “If this challenge to the whole basis of the civilized order of mankind were to go unanswered we could never be assured of peace again.”