Evening star., 1940-06-05
London
Continued From First Page.)

considered step in this direction,
it was said, the Soviet government
feels that Britain acted somewhat
reluctantly in taking this step.
Sir Stafford. who is to sue
ceed Sir " William Seeds in the
Moscow post, already is en- route
to Moscow. He left by way of
| Athens on special trade mission
before diplomatic arrangements
with Moscow were concluded. Mos
COW refused to accept him in such
special status and Britain agreed
to name him her regular Ambas-
sador.
Better Relations Seen.
Russian informants said TODAY 1t
was believed that improved trade
and general British Russian rela-
tions could be expected to result if
the latest efforts of the British
government were sincere.
A Soviet source said there was no
change lat least for the present"
for military cooperation with the
Allies.
This source said Russia and Brit
ain probably never would have par
allel theological interests, but "in
the other possible spheres there is
no reason why they should not live
in friendship"
He added that Russian friendship
could not be bought by territorial
concessions as Russia has plenty of
territory.
Soviet circles here obviously were
pleased by the winning of a diplo-
matte victory through forcing the
naming of Sir Stafford as Ambassa-
dor to Moscow before continuation
of trade talks.
The easy victory was taken bv
these quarters as an indication of
Russia's influence in world affairs
and recognition of her growing
power 1
Secret Commons Session.
From Socialist and Liberal quar-
tiers came the suggestion that the
House of Commons in a secret ses-
sion, probably next Tuesday. would
resort to plain talk about who was
responsible for the inferiority of
B E. F. equipment against the Nazi
military machine
The Laborite Daily Herald asked
whether ANY members of the old
government who have joined the
new are to blame for the crisis
which has arisen" and whether the
public could feel sure of their fit
ness to lead in the more violent
crises now pending"
Former Prime Minister Chamber
lain. who still is member of the
war cabinet, was expected to be
called upon to defend the measures
taken while he directed the en-
pire's war efforts.
A private meeting of a number of
Laborite members of Parliament was
regarded in some political circles as
possibly paving the way for the total
eclipse of Mr.. Chamberlain as
force in British politics.
Seek Two-Day Debate.
The authoritative Press Associa-
ton said some speakers at the meet
ing dealt with the question of who
was responsible in the days before
the war for Britain's apparent lack
of foresight"
The meeting decided to ask that
next weeks secret session of Com
mons for debate on home defense be
extended to two days.
Discussion of pre-War responsible
ty naturally would center around
the former Prime Minister-"the
man of Munich" who has rapidly
plunged nearer obscurity since VIM
Ston Churchill succeeded him. Mr..
Chamberlain now is lord president
of the Council.
To many his Office seems hardly
more than title. and he himself a
. kind of forgotten man beside Mr..
Churchill and the other members of
the war cabinet, notably the Labor
ties, Clement R. Attlee and Arthur
Greenwood.
Further reorganization of the
government announced in Commons
yesterday by Mr.. Attlee indicated
that Mr.. Attlee and Mr.. Greenwood
are rising as the most powerful
Ministers under Mr.. Churchill. Mr..
Attlee, Lord Privy Seal ranks vir-
tually as assistant premier.
Mr.. Greenwood, as the nations
production chief, is the man most
responsible for rectifying the mis-
takes OF the past. Those mistakes
will be blamed on some one-pos-