SOVIET ATTITUDE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20844, 30 June 1939, Page 7

SOVIET ATTITUDE

NOT A PLAYTHING CRITICISM OF BRITAIN DEMAND FOR EQUALITY (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright Received June 30, ii a.m., MOSCOW, June 29 The Soviet's press chief, Zhdanoff, in an article in the Pravda in anticipation of the renewed approach by Sir William Seeds, British Ambassador, and M. Naggiar, French ' diplomat, to M. MolotolT, declares: “Everything indicates that Britain and France do not want an agreement based on equality of reciprocity. They want an agreement under which Russia will play the rote of a hired man, carrying on his shoulders the entire burden of engagement. No self-respecting country will accept such an agreement if it does not want to be the plaything in the hands of people wanting somebody to pull their hot coals from tlie fire. “It seems that Britain and France only want conversations about an agreement, in order to exploit Russia's imaginary stubborness in her own countries, thus helping them to strike a bargain with the aggressors. “Despite the extreme clarity of Russia's position there has not been appreciable progress in the negotiations, which have entered a blind alley. This cannot fail to have serious significance in the present international situation and stimulate the aggressors to further activity.”

RED ARMY MANOEUVRES CHANGE IN LOCATION CONCERN - OVER BALTIC United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) MOSCOW. June 29 It Is officially stated that the Red Army will hold manoeuvres in September in the vicinity of Leningrad. The manoeuvres are usually held near the western frontiers, and the decision to transfer them to the north reflects Russia's concern regarding the Baltic States and Finland's proposed fortification of the Aaland Islands.

THE NEXT STEP? PROPOSED TRIPLE ALLIANCE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, June 29 A message from ‘Moscow says Sir William Seeds consulted with M. Naggiar, French representative, on the next steps in the negotiations with llussia, after which he saw the Ambassadors of Turkey and Afghanistan, which States are closely interested in a triple alliance.