Evening star., 1939-05-05
Military Pact With
France and Soviet
Is Agreed To
Py the Associated Press.

government today accepted Soviet
Russia's proposal to form a British
French Russian military alliance
and offered a supplementary plan
for supporting Poland and Rumania
against possible aggression.
Details of the supplementary plan,
designed to overcome Polish and
Rumanian objections to receiving
aid directly from the Soviet govern
ment, were not disclosed.
1t was understood that the pro-
jected alliance would provide that
Britain, France and Russia under
take to 60 to the aid of each other
If any of them should be attacked
by a European power.
But it was authoritatively stated
that such a pact would not apply
in the Far East, for instance, if
Russia were attacked by Japan.
These disclosures followed meet
ing Of the Foreign Affairs Commit
tee of the British cabinet. The
committee approved note to be
dispatched, probably tonight, to
Britain's Ambassador at Moscow,
replying to Russian proposals for
security combination of the three
powers.
It was believed in London that
the French had urged Prime Min
lister Chamberlain to make some
concessions to the Russian point of
view.
Broad Guarantee Proposed.
The original Soviet proposal was
that in addition to forming a triple
alliance the three powers guarantee
the independence of all Baltic and
Black Sea powers.
Britain and France were said to
have no objection to this scheme ex-
cept that Rumania and Poland, to
whom Britain and France have
given guarantees, did not want Rus
sian troops on their soil If they
could avoid it. The new British
plan sought to remove this difficulty.
Rumania and Poland objected to
Russian military support because
both countries now have territory
which formerly belonged to Russia.
1t was believed Russias answer
would disclose whether her foreign
Polich had been affected by the
resignation of Maxim Litvinof as
commissar of foreign affairs.
Beck Speech Endorsed.
The British government fully in
dorsed Polish Foreign Minister
Joseph Beck's offer today to negoti-
ate with Germany on a basis Of
peaceful intentions and methods.
In quarters close to the govern
ment the view was expressed that
Col. Beck. in his address to the
Polish Parliament, had defined
Britain's as well as Poland's posi-
ton that the Danzig problem can
be settled peacefully If Germany
genuinely desires to negotiate on a
basis of equality.
His firmness, on the other hand.
in refusing "one- sided concessions
also was considered to reflect the
views of Britain and France, both
of whom have promised to help
Poland resist any threat to her in
dependence.
Col. Beck's speech was regarded
in both government and diplomatic
quarters as firm but conciliatory
and designed to show an unpro-
vocative attitude on Poland's part.
"Calm, Soundly Argued"
One informed government source
described it as calm and soundly
argued. This source said it had
the full approval Of the British
government.
it had not received an advance
copy.
The foreign Office was believed to
have had in advance from Warsaw
at least some idea of Col Beck's
speech, however, and it was evident
that the British desire for modera-
ton and further talks had been
made known to Polish officials.
C.. S. Norton, counsellor of the
British Embassy at Warsaw, flew to
London after Ambassador Sir How
ard William Kennard saw Col Beck
yesterday. Norton was to see For
eign Secretary Viscount Halifax to-
day to report on Col. Beck's atti-
tude.
The Polish foreign minister had
been fortified on the eve of his
parliamentary address by renewed
assurances from France and Brit
ain.
Germany's reaction was awaited,
particularly for an indication
whether she was willing to negoti-
ate on the basis offered by Col.
Beck or still would demand outright
annexation Of the Free City of Dan
zig.
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