Evening star., 1939-03-20


ize along Rhineland border to
show power for Rumania, it is re-
ported. Page Al
RUMAN1A STANDS FIRM against
political surrender to Reich, but
is ready for economic concessions
Page A-4
DR.. EDUARD BENES pleads with
America not to tolerate Europe's
new ideas; terms freedom guillo-
tined. Page A-4
MOSCOW REMAINS CALM despite
approach of German troops to
Ukraine; absorption of CZecho-
Slovakia denounced. Page AS
By the Associated Press.
LONDON, March 20.-Authorita-
tive diplomatic quarters said today
Britain had proposed an anti-ag-
gression declaration by herself,
France, Soviet Russia and any other
nation willing to join common
stop Hitler front.
Smaller European powers. these
quarters said, would be asked to
subscribe Among them they men,
. toned Poland, Rumania, Yugoslavia,
Greece. Turkey and Bulgaria.
According to these reports the
declaration would not commit any
nation automatically to go to war
but, by implication, would involve
mutual defense against an aggres-
sor nation.
Its primary purpose would be to
assume consultation among the sub
scribers should Germany attempt to
repeat against another state her
coup in Czecho-Slovakia.
Counter-Proposal to Russian.
These quarters said the anti-ag-
gression declaration was offered as
counter proposal to a Russian
suggestion for joint conference of
democratic nations to consider
means of resisting possible German
aggression.
Viscount Halifax, British foreign
secretary, speaking in the House OF
Lords accused Germany of "delib
erately'' provoking incidents to
: create an excuse for invasion of
Czecho- -Slovakia.
In a speech packed with angry
words the foreign secretary virtually
accused Germany of fomenting the
secession of Slovakia from the
Czecho-Slovak federation. He said:
Il find it impossible to believe that
the sudden decision of certain Slo-
yak leaders to break off from Prague,
which was followed so closely by
their appeals for protection to the
German Reich, was reached inde-
pendently of outside influence
He said he made the statement
because it 'is claimed that the Ger
man government was entitled to in
5 tervene on receiving request for
assistance from the dismissed Slovak
premier
Earlier Britain had countered Ger
many's economic pressure on Ru-
mania with decision to send a
trade mission there as Prime Min
lister Chamberlain sought to rally
'anti-aggressor" nations into a
"stop Hitler" bloc.
The Prime Minister told the House
Of Commons Britain was consulting
with other nations over the con-
sequences of Germany's absorption
OF Czecho-S -Slovakia.
Apparently, however, he had de-
ferred giving full account to Par
lament of British efforts to resist
Adolf Hitler's drive toward the East
until the responses of other nations
Indicated their views on a united
front.
Heartened BY U. S. Stand.
Mr.. Chamberlain spoke after an
extraordinary Cabinet session had
decided to communicate immedi-
ately with Soviet Russia, Poland,
Bulgaria and the Balkan Entente
states-Greece, Yugoslavia, Ruma-
mia and Turkey.
Authoritative sources, meanwhile,
disclosed that both the Prime Min
lister and his foreign secretary, Wis
count Halifax, had been greatly
enheartened" by Washingtons con-
demnation of the German coup in
Southeastern Europe and the Amer
ican reaction generally.
All members of the British gov
eminent, these sources said, now
were convinced that the stand of
the United States was one of the
FIRST points to be considered in for
mulating British policy.
Mr.. Chamberlain also told the
House that Britain's colossal de-
tense program again would be re-
viewed as one of three British steps
in answer to Germanys eastward
drive in Europe.
The Prime Minister made the
rearmament announcement after
British officials also had stated that
the government may be expected
to continue" closest discussions
with Soviet Russia on Germany's
expanding empire.
Soviet Ambassador Ivan Maisky,
who has been in contact with Lord
Halifax more frequently than any
other diplomat since Saturday, again
called at the foreign Office for a dis
cussion with Lord Halifax at 3 pm.
QO am, E. S. T0
Mr.. Chamberlain was asked
whether, in view of Germany's ac-
QUESTION of Czecho-Slovakia's war
materials, he intended revising Brit
aims flve-year defense program
which started as a f1,500,0O0 900
fS7,500, ,000,00O plan and already
has been expanded as a result of
past crises.
Mr.. Chamberlain replied in mea-
sured tones:
"As I stated in my speech of Fri
day last, every aspect of national
defense must now be reviewed in the
light Of our national safety and this
(See LONDON. Page A-100