Evening star., 1938-03-17
Powers Invited to
Consider Steps
Against War.
IGNORES GERMANY.
JAPAN AND ITALY
Czechs and Lithuania
1mperiled, Says
LitvinOf.
BACKGROUND

uyV eSStOW III FuT EuSL, JcuTS JU
her security unless the dynamic
po1Ders OF the Dorld are halted in
their march of conquest. Sopiet
Union has alliances pith France and
Csechoslopdkia, Which is squarely in
path OF German expansion Poland,
although allied to France, has leaned
perceptibly to1pard Germany since
conclusion of 10-year truce over
Polish Corridor.
By the Associated Press.
MOSCOW, March 17-Foreign Min
lister Litvinof today invited powers
other than Germany, Japan and italy
to discuss joint action aimed at
checking further development of ag-
gression and eliminating increased
danger of a new world massacre"
He made the proposal in behalf of
the Soviet government. The invita-
ton will be sent to the United States
as we'll as other nations because Of
danger Of war growing out of Ger
many's annexation of Austria and
Polish-Lithuanian frontier conflicts.
Litvinoff said he was urging the in
rited powers, including the United
States, to discuss joint action to save
Czechoslovakia from attack by Ger
many and Lthuania from Polish ag-
sression.
Conference Not Mentioned,
His formal statement did not men,
ton specifically the calling Of . con-
ference, but he said exchanges he en-
visaged would be tantamount to q
conference.
In one of his rare press conferences,
the foreign minister indicated other
powers would be sounded out on meth
obs whereby collective action could
be discussed when Soviet Ambassadors
Z; had presented his first proposal to
other government.
Litvinof disclosed that Russia had
informed Poland in "a quite friendly
way" that the Soviet Union considered
the situation between Poland and
Lthuania danger to the peace of
Eastern Europe.
He affirmed Russia's readiness to
abide by the League of Nations Cove
nant, the Briand-Kellogg peace pact
and Russia's mutual assistance treaties
with France and CZechoslovakia,
36-Hour Deadline Reported.
Litvinoh said he had been informed
that Poland demanded satisfaction
from Lthuania for the border incident
within 36 hours.
To Lithuania's question of what
would be considered satisfaction, he
said, Poland answered it demanded es-
tablishment of diplomatic relations.
This would imply recognition Of Po-
lands possession Of Wilno, which
Lithuania always has disputed.
"A dangerous situation in Lith-
uania," the commissar declared,
would create dangerous situation in
Eastern Europe"
Litvinoff said "aggressor" nations
would not be invited to the conference.
Can you ask an aggressor to dis
cuss action against his aggression" he
asked. Certainly not"
He said Russia was willing for the
discussion to take place either at
Geneva or outside the League of Ma
tions.
Responsibility Cited.
In his formal declaration, which he
said would be transmitted to invited
governments through diplomatic chan
nels, Litvinoff declared:
THE present international situation
places before all peace-loving states
and the great powers in particular,
the question of their responsibility for
the destinies of the peoples of Europe
and not only of Europe"
Asked il Russia had any suggestions
for the kind of action to be taken
Litvinof replied:
I'VE could make suggestions only
when we had partners with whom to
discuss them. Suggestions depend on
the response we receive from other
governments.
The Soviet government, Litvinoff
said in his formal note, "is ready as
before to participate in collective
actions which would be decided on
jointly with it and which would aim
at checking further developments Of
aggression and Of eliminating the in
creased danger Of . new world
massacre"
1T IS prepared Immediately to take
up with the League Of Nations, or OUT
side 1t. . discussion with other powers
Of practical measures which ci-cum-
stances demand" the statement con-
tinued.
1T may be late tomorrow, but today,
the time for It. is not yet gone If all
states. and great powers In particular.
take Arm, clear-cut stand with re-
gard to the problem Of the collective
salvation Of peace"
Baltic Tension Eases.
KAUNAS. Lithuania, March II (F.
Tension between Poland and Lithu-
ania eased slightly today after an as
sertion Of Defense Minister Col Stasys
Dirmantas before the Diet that the
government was preparing to close the
incident on . legal basis.
The return Of Lithuanian police
man, who allegedly had been held by
the Poles In . series Of border Incl.
dents, also permitted tempers to quiet
down.