Evening star., 1939-05-03
London
Continued From First Page.)

Commons came after cabinet meet
ing at which the government was
reported to have rejected Soviet
Russia's proposal for a British
French-Russian guarantee to all
Baltic and Black Sea states.
The cabinet was reported. however
to have decided to urge Russia to
''reinsure' British-French commit
ments to Poland and Rumania after
Poland told Britain she preferred to
make q separate agreement with
Russia.
In an apparent reference to Italy
and Germany, opposition Laborite
Philip J. Noel-Baker asked if "the
British government will make it
plain that We are now giving guar
antees against aggression and that
these guarantees may be partici-
pated in by any governments pre-
pared in good faith to renounce ag-
gression?"
Mr.. Chamberlain replied: Ger
tainly. They are guarantees against
aggression and solely aggression,
and with regard to their extension
I have no doubt that the govern
ment will be glad to consider any
proposals for the extension"
Reciprocal Pledges Not Expected.
R. A. Butler, undersecretary for
foreign affairs, said In answer to
questions that Britain did not plan
to make her guarantees of the inde-
pendence of Rumania and Greece
reciprocal.
Thus. although Britain has pledged
her aid to these countries If their
independence is threatened, she does
not expect a similar pledge from
them.
In response to an assertion that
former Prime Minister Earl Baldwin
had pledged the present national
government against conscription in
1885. Mr.. Chamberlain replied in de-
fense of the governments April 26
decision to introduce conscription:
'At that time Gn 1885, there was
no intention to increase ornaments.
Since then the march of events has
made necessary the most costly re-
armament program ever undertaken
by this country when not at war and
the same consideration compelled us
to adopt the limited measure OF
compulsory training"
Halifax Recommendations.
After reviewing separate contacts
with Poland, Rumania, Finland, Es-
tonia, Latvia and Lithuania, For
eign Secretary Viscount Halifax was
said by reliable sources to have rec
commended to the cabinet that Brit
ain tell Russia:
1. That Britain could not enter
into a Triple Entente guarantee of
these states when Poland and Ru-
mania did not want fiat guaran-
tee by Russia without provision for
them to specify when 1t would
operate.
2. That Britain was eager to con-
tinue discussions with Russia with
q view to eventual formation of a
British French Russian alliance OF
mutual military aid.
Russian Declaration Urged.
Lord Halifax was said to have
recommended that Britain urge
Russia to declare she was prepared
to support the British-French guar
antees to Poland and Rumania III
as and when" her support is desired.
1t was expected that these OBJ
servations on the Russian proposal
would be sent to Sir William Seeds,
British Ambassador to Moscow, to-
day or tomorrow. They had not
been given to the Russian Embassy
by early afternoon, but Russian
quarters maintained that if the
position as outlined were still the
British stand it was mot concrete
enough"
The Russians visualized a specific,
detailed agreement by which the
three great powers would settle pre-
cisely how they are to help one
another in the event of war.
Despite the British stand, it was
believed the conversations would
not be allowed to break down.
The impression was growing in
authoritative British quarters that
the dispute over Danzig would be
settled without resort to force. But
!. the situation had to be examined by
THE cabinet for all eventualities be-
cause Of the British French pledge
to defend Poland's integrity If Po-
land considered herself threatened