NOT AN ALLIANCE

Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1934, Page 5

NOT AN ALLIANCE

FRANCE AND RUSSIA IN CASE OF GERMAN WAR ONLY AN UNDERSTANDING ACTION OF HERR HITLER SOVIET’S NATURAL FOES By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 7J?O p.m. Paris, Nov. 24. Denial is given the report that M. Archimbaud, who is in charge of the army ; estimates, indicated a military alliance between France and Russia when speaking in the Chamber of Deputies. The error arose in the translation of his speech in which he declared that France and Russia understood each other’s position. . It was first stated that M. Archimbaud said: “Russia offers us her solid,' wellequipped army in the event of a FrancoGerman war. Russia’s air fleet is the world’s best, with the French next. Hitler is not observing the Versailles Treaty, but is trying to range Poland and Japan against Russia. Only a Franco-Russian union can stabilise peace.” M. Archimbaud’s speech was wrongly translated. He actually said: “We are bound to observe that Hitler has tried to set against Russia her natural enemies, Poland and Japan. Realising this would endanger European peace, Russia and France wished to safeguard their liberty. It is undeniable that an understanding exists between them. “I do not use the word alliance or military agreement,” he said, “noting only that the Soviet army, which is very strong and perfectly equipped, has been Offered to us in the event of war with Germany.” The new Minister of War, General Maurin, followed M. Archimbaud with a reassuring address, declaring France would do everything to prevent a surprise attack. The Chamber passed the army estimate. FRANCE’S ARMY WEAKNESS. IM. Fabry, president of the Army Commission, pleading for a stronger army, declared that Germany was making gigantic efforts in the construction of war material, notably in aviation, which was a menace directed against London and Paris. The French weakness would invite war. Many members of the Chamber of Deputies concluded that M. Archimbaud, in talking of the Soviet army offered to France, referred to Moscow’s wellknown desire for a military alliance with France. A high French authority declared that the French Government never accepted the Soviet offer, which was made tentatively and not formally. He added that absolutely no alliance or military agreement existed. It was stated that France and Russia were, exploring avenues to an eastern pact,, including Germany and Poland. A Moscow cable states that semiofficial quarters doubt M. Archimbaud’s statement that Russian military aid has been offered France in the event of war with Germany.

M. Litvinoff, interviewed at Geneva, declined to comment on M. Archimbaud’s statement, which he had not read. . British diplomatists, when told of the speech, discounted the suggestion of a Franco-Russian military pact and asserted that France consistently maintained her inability to arrive at such an understanding with Russia outside the League Covenant and the Locarno Treaty, though it had been suggested that defensive arrangements might be admissable as an extension of Article 16 of the League Covenant. A British observer regarded M. Archimbaud’s speech as completely puzzling and conjectured that he exaggerated in the heat of oratory. FRENCH REPLY TO POLES PROPOSED EASTERN PACT Rec. 7 p.m. . Paris, Nov. 24. The French reply to Poland regarding the proposed Eastern Pact has been dispatched. It is understood it replies persuasively to the Polish contention that the pact might disturb the GermanPolish agreement. The text of the pact will be drawn up after M. Laval’s discussion with M. Litvinoff and Dr. Benes. The British United Press correspondent had a special interview with M. Archimbaud.

“When I declared my belief that the Russian air force was the strongest in Europe, and France’s second,” he said, “I said a Franco-Russian entente should assure the peace of Europe. By entente I meant that if Germany attacks France, Russia will be on France’s side with her air force and army to defend European peace by mutual assistance within the framework of the League of Nations, It was officially stated late to-night that reports of a Franco-Soviet military agreement were without foundation. A political rapprochement was completed recently with the sole aim of organisation for peace, and it was not directed against any power.