Evening star., 1939-03-21
British Propose 'Stop-Hit|er'
Declaration Binding France,
Poland and Soviet to Confer
Action Would Waive
Deal Over MemeI,
Once Reich Area
The European Situation

EUSS1A MAY MI alQ 6TlGdlIl =
stop Hitler" plans. Page Al
FRANCE G1RDs DEFENsEs un-
der is dictatorial DEGREES, of
them military. Page Al
HITLER SENDS NOTE to Rome to
explain situation to Mussolini; +;
Goering leaves for San Reno.
Page Al
BRITISH PROPOSE FIVE powers
sign Halt Hitler" declaration, but
waive Memel action Page Al
WILBUR J. CARR and other diplo-
mats in Prague prepare to leave;
complications arise. Page "A
ITALY CALLS MORE reservists as
Duce seeks data on Hitler.
Page A
By the Associated Press.
LONDON, March 2l-Britain to-
day asked Soviet Russia, France and
Poland to sign halt Hitler" dec
laration binding them to consult
as to action they would take" in case
OF further German expansion at
tempts.
The final draft of the declara-
tion," authoritative British sources
said, also had been brought to the
attention of Rumania. Turkey.
Greece, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria.
They stressed that it would not
operate If Germany and Lithuania
made deal over Memel, German
territory before the postwar settle
.ment. 1t was designed to counter
German action against non-Ger-
manic territory. they said.
Farley Now Held Premature.
The announcement of Britain's &C
ton came after the Soviet govern
ment had disclosed at Moscow that
London considered an immediate
six-power conference as ''prema-
ture." This had led to belief that
Soviet support for strong stop
Hitler" move was highly uncertain.
British sources emphasized that
the declaration would be entirely
compatible with a conference at a
later stage. Russia, they said, was
likely to accept such procedure as
a satisfactory alternative to a con-
ference now.
Meanwhile. President Albert Le-
brun of France arrived in London
for three-day state visit amid in
creasing French British collabora-
ton in the face of German expan-
sion.
Report that Germany might de-
r. nyt{ eIa
treaty drew from an official spokes-
man the reply that the treaty was
permanent and could not be ter
minated legally except with the con-
sent of both parties.
Oliver Stanley, president of the
Board OF Trade, meanwhile an
nounced in the House of Commons
that Britain would re-examine, lin
the light of events of last week." a
trade agreement made last week
between the Federation of British
Industries and Reichsgruppe In
dustries, a German manufacturing
group.
4 have asked the Federation of
British Industries to discuss the
matter with me-" Stanley said in
response to number of questions.
King George and Queen Elizabeth
welcomed President and Nine. Le-
brun at Victoria Station and ac-
companied them in an open car
i. riage through troop-lined, flag
decked streets to Buckingham Pal
ace
Prime Minister Chamberlain, For
eign Secretary Viscount Halifax,
most of the other cabinet ministers
and crowd of notables were among
those at the station. French Foreign
Minister Georges Bonnet, who ac-
companied the President, was ex-
pected to have important conversa-
tions with British officials during
the visit.
Announcement by the Soviet gov
eminent that Britain had termed
its proposal for conference pre-
mature" was interpreted in some
= diplomatic quarters as meaning that
Russia might counter with a re-
fusal to join in non-aggression
declaration, such as Britain is ad-
vocating.
The tone of the Russian an
nouncement indicated to some
diplomats that Moscow, after being
cold-shouldered so long by Britain,
was skeptical of apparent British
intentions now to make strong
stand against further German ex-
pansion.
Despite apparent British willing
ness to join Russia and France in
firm anti-Hitler front, some Soviet
circles in London said the absence
of any reference to Russia in Cham
berlain's strong speech condemning
Germany last Friday suggested a
cautious policy.
Thousands OF spectators who
(See LONDON, Page A-4D