WILL SOVIET JOIN LEAGUE?

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19805, 22 May 1934, Page 9

WILL SOVIET JOIN LEAGUE?

INTEREST IN MANY COUNTRIES

PROBABLE REASON FOR RUSSIA’S MOVE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received May 21, 7.35 p.m.) LONDON. May 21. The diplomatic correspondent of “The Daily Telegraph” says: “Russia’s inclination to join the League of Nations bids fair to become a major issue in European diplomacy, due to the fear of Japan on one hand, and’ Germany on the other. It is hoped that as a member of the League Russia will gain moral diplomatic support, particularly against Germany. France desires to bring Russia into the League in order to strengthen the anti-German elements, France holding that Moscow’s membership at Geneva would help to justify an indirect alliance between France. Russia, Czecho-Slovakia and certain Baltic Powers. M. Litvinoff believes that Russia will derive political prestige by joining the League the moment Japan and Germany have withdrawn. Moscow, however, is more intent upon a pact of mutual guarantees than League membership, hence M. Litvinoff is anxious to submit plan for a pact to the disarmament conference immediately, instead of awaiting the meeting of the League Assembly in September. M. Litvinoff will certainly fail to make the pact comprehensive, as Britain, Italy and Poland are not going to be responsible for the defence of the Soviet frontiers. Belgium. Jugo-Slavia and Rumania are similarly doubtful; indeed, some of France’s allies are alarmed that she may be saddled with a liability to defend the Soviet frontier, and even the question of Russia’s suitability for League membership owing to that move arousing controversies.