MORE HOPE HELD OUT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21379, 23 June 1939, Page 9

MORE HOPE HELD OUT

Negotiations in Moscow Continue France Is Optimistic Difficulty of Baltic States United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph Copyright (Received June 22, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 21. Diplomatic circles in Paris are now more optimistic of the speedy conclusion of a three-Power pact with Russia. M. Molotov. Mr William Strang, of the Foreign Office, and the British and French Ambassadors conferred for two hours in Moscow to-day. They will meet again shortly, when it is under--stood that they will present an AngloFrench compromise on the Baltic difficulty. The French Foreign Minister (M. Bonnet), addressing the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chamber, said that the Soviet had agreed to the essential points cf the latest British-

French plan, bot guarantees to the Baltic countries were still the stumbling block. The negotiations, however, were continuing favourably, and a complete agreement should be able to be announced shortly. The negotiations in Moscow were mentioned in the House of Commons at question time, states a British official wireless message. The Prime Minister (Mr Chamberlain) replied “No,” when asked if it was proposed that a Cabinet Minister should proceed to Moscow. He again declined to give details of the difficulties still standing in the way of the conclusion of the agreement, on the grounds that it would be undesirable for the public Interest to do so. European Negotiations Only The Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Mr R. A. Butler), who was asked whether the Government would consider the advisability of extending the terms of the Anglo-French-Soviet Pact to cover the Far East, in view oi the advantages which this would bring to the interests of all three countries, replied “No.” Mr Butler added that the negotiations which at present were being conducted concerned only * the European situation. Replying to a question, Mr Butler said that the Foreign Secretary (Lord Halifax) was aware that the Soviet had made it clear that the Soviet would take a grave view of any agreement which would result in a diminution of the independence or sovereignty of either Latvia or Estonia, and those Governments, for their part, had declared their determination to maintain their independence and neutrality. Staff Conversations Mr Chamberlain stated in the House of Commons that staff conversations with Poland and Turkey were proceeding satisfactorily, but it would not be in the public interest to give any detailed particulars.