Evening star., 1924-11-09
ANCLO-SOv|ETPACT
IS HELD IMPENDING
Britain Needs to Establish
Trade Relations With
Soviet Government.
BY WILLIAM BIRD,
TsN Eadi, ia Tho star

I'y Radi" TO The Star.
PARIS, November s. Although
most people will agree that the de-
"idng issue in Great Britains Con-
scrvative triumph was lIabor's dicker
with the Russian Soviets, it can be
safely stated. today that events are
marching rapidly toward 4 Russo
British understanding of most far
reaching nature.
This statement will appear para
doXical Against it is the fact that
France has just resumed full diplo-
matte relations with Rueeia, and the
French government, being Of a lib
eral tingc, mi~ht be sunnosed to be
tGnre c"uge"ial toward Moscow than
the British Tories.
But in the race for Moscow's favor
Conservatives stand a better chance
than Liberals. There is no one for
whom the Soviets have more pro-
found contempt than pink" radicals
Soviet leaders have repeatedly de
clar@d they would prefer to deal with
deep-eved reactionarics than with
parI"r boisheViks," although they
VII make the utmost possible use of
me lattcr's hCncvolcnce toward them
- long as it costs them nothing.
British Recognition Looms.
That is what is happening today in
fhe Soviet relations with Frnncc.
''remier Herriot himself visited Mos
COW about two years ago when he
vas minority leader, and returned
Urging that France recognize the
SoViets. Now. as premier. he has
accomplished it, but without obtain
iS any concessions in return. There
ore Franco Soviet relotions promise
- be almost entirely formal and
sterile. Is French holders of Russian
bonds are not yet ready to write
these off the books. But meanwhile.
Stanley Baldwin,s government. al
though the Conse ratives bitterly at
lacked N"cDonaId's treaty, will. ac-
cording to the best London informa-
ton, carry that treaty into effect, at
Ieast in substance, and will not only
write off a large part of the Russia n
uebt TO Great Britain. but Will even
Su rantee loan to permit Moscow
TO buy British goods
And, although this is paradoxical
II is based ON sound principles First
" France does not need Russian
trade. while Great Britain needs if
badly to help cure unemployment
Secondly. aud most important. in
view Of the alarming tendency of
fr'nce and Germany to get together
ana form a continental block uniting
French iron and German coal and es-
tabilshing gigantic metallurgical
industry which viii he Europe's
greatest arsenal in time OF war
Great Britain must look around for
SOME alliance to Offset this menace
and tie-up with Russia looms as
the only feasible solution. Great
SritalnS s aStute foreign office which
Keeps it's long finger on every political
pulse in the world. has perceived the
necessity for such a combination if
he threat Of Franco-German AL
lance IS realized. And il was the
foreign office-that marvellous self
perpetuating bureaucracy = which
prompted Mr.. Macdonald CATER
fimliarly prompting Lloyd George)
10 sign the Russi2n treaty. And it
VIII urge, and indeed, practically
compel Prime Minister Baldwin TO
follow the same course.
America in Doubt.
With Great Britain and Russia
aligned against Germany and Franco
The old pre-war balance of power will
Dc re-estahiished on new lines One
element of doubt "ubsists-which side
VIII America take? Many attempts
are made TO answer this, but all re-
main in the field of speculation. Ger
tain British quarters surmtse that
Japan must necessarily figure in the
combination and feel this would drive
the United States into the oppositc
camp.
Against this is the hope founded
on the undoubted develonment in the
tast few years of Anglo-Saxon unity.
The question is momentous for Great
britain, because of the likelihood
British dominionS would refuse to
folioW the mother country in case
she became too entangled with Japan
It is hoped here that the coming
=
position.
fCgprriybf 1904