Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-04-12
Britain Seen Delaying
Pact With Russia
To Woo Duce
Chamberlain Believed
Held Beck by Fear Of
SoIidifyine Axis
By PERTINAX.

By PERTINAX.
PARIS, April IL -(NANA0.-It
Is believed that the French and
British admiralties have already
taken every measure needed to
make effective the resolve of the
London and Paris cabinets to pre-
vent the Mediterraneans status quo
from being further disturbed to
their disadvantage. and that guar
antees for that purpose will be given
to various powers. either in general
terms or under the form of separate
agreements.
If practical measures were for the
time being left aside or postponed,
the secondary nations which live IN
continuous fear of Germany and
ITALY would fail to be impressed by
the new Anglo-French policy and
at all costs would try to strike a
compromise with the expansionist
powers For instance, it must not
be overlooked that Premier Me-
taxas, Greeces dictator, would be
only too ready to find fault With
the action of Britain and France
and to seek salvation, as he did "a
years ago under King Constantine,
IN so-called neutral attitude,
hardly concealing. indeed, real
association with Germany.
But for the Anglo-French I'M
dertaking of collective security to
succeed, it is not enough that both
Western democracies should DEM
onstrate and even parade their
strength in the whole Mediterra-
mean. Something more is required
Soviet Russia's prompt adhesion to
the system initiated in the middle
of March.
Russian Aid Essential.
It Suffices to cast glance at a
map to perceive that, without the
Moscow government participation
no serious eastern barrier can be
set up against German-Italian on
slaughts. Even the recently con-
cluded Anglo-Polish treaty would
not withstand the test of German
aggression unless, in the background,
Russia's help should have been en-
listed.
Unfortunately, we have to record
that while British Foreign Secre-
tary Halifax meets Ivan Maisky, the
Russian Ambassador to London.
nearly every day and keeps him
informed of the progress of nego-
tiations, he has hitherto refrained
from submitting to him concrete
proposals for all-around co-opera-
ton with England and France. The
ng-contemplated agreement with
Russia, therefore, is left in suspense.
It will be remarked by some that
there is no real harm in that delay
as the Soviet government is already
bound to France by the treaty of
mutual assistance of May 2. 1885.
But those who use that argument
overlook the fact that, under that
treaty, Russia is not committed to
SUPPORT France until German troops
have actually invaded French terri
tory, restriction which was the
outcome Of former Premier Laval's
deliberate will, but is obviously out
of keeping with today's political and
strategic requirements.
Not Yet Free Of Illusions.
But why does Prime Minister
Chamberlain postpone from week to
week the moment to come to terms
with Russia? The answer is that
he is afraid lest the signature of an
Anglo Russian pact of mutual as
sistance should finally strengthen
Mussolini's connection with Hitler
and make the Berlin-Rome axis
permanent. He believes that, if
Mussolini's prestige and armour
propre are spared, if the challenge
implicit in the appearance of
formally arranged cooperation of
Russia with England and other
States does not come forward. II
Duce may still be persuaded not to
part for good with the letter and
spirit of the Anglo-Italian agree
ment of April, 1898, and, as tangi-
BILE proof of his reawakened good
will. may still agree to withdraw
from Spain his legionaries.
Such is the result of the personal
messages exchanged during the
week end by the Italian dictator and
the Prime Minister It is note
worthy that the latter made up his
mind to break his holiday in Scot
land only when he heard of the
contents of Mussolini's letter to him
and had to assume the task of
drafting an answer.
It has thus become that, despite
the many disappointments with
which he has had to put up during
the last IA months. Mr.. Chamber
lain has not yet been able to free
himself from his illusions He has
not yet learned that the chances
he may have of keeping Mussoiini
in order are in direct proportion to
the material forces at his disposal
and that. should he happen to
estrange Soviet Russia, which al
ready deeply resents being kept so
long waiting at the door, II Duce
would assuredly prove a much
rougher customer than he is even
today.
fConvriuht 1910 hy tbo North