Evening star., 1941-07-15
BY the Associated Press.


BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, July l5-Prime Min
lister Churchill declared in the
House of Commons today that the
new British-Russian agreement for
joint war action against Germany
was IAN alliance and that the Rus
sian and British peoples now were
allies.
Implying that British relations
with the French also were favorable
the Prime Minister said the armi.
stice which gave British and Free
French forces control of French
inundated Syria and Lebanon was
signed yesterday in "a cordial spirit
on both sides
True Issues at Stake.
That, Churchill said, lis a proof
Of the deep comprehension of the
French people of the true issues at
stake in the world ,g..
I'VE seek no British advantage in
Syria. Our only object had been tc
beat the Germans and to help win
the war.
If any one had predicted two
months ago when Iraq was in revolt
and when Syria and Iraq began tC
be Overrun by German tourists that
We should by the middle of July
have cleaned up the whole of the
Levant and have re-eStablished oul
authority there for the time being
such a prophet would have beer
considered most imprudent
The heavy. but indecisive fight
ing at Salum Egyptian border post
by ouhr desert army and the Stub
born defense for Crete in which
grievous losses were inflicted on the
enemys airpoWer must be judged tc
have played their part in arriving al
the general results
Not Support of Communism.
The British-Russian alliance does
not mean, Mr.. Churchill said, that
Britain is identifying herself with
the Communist creed" or that she
is fighting the battle OF Com
munlSm."
Semi Official circles previously had
said the agreement, under which
the two countries contracted to give
each other assistance in the wal
against Germany and pledged they
would not negotiate separate peace
except by mutual consent. made the
British and Russians "co-bellig
erents."
They saw shade of difference
between this and the term allies.
Clarifies Situation.
Clarifying the situation, Mr.
Churchill said today:
Toward the end of last week 1t
became possible to make a solemn
agreement between the British ano
Russian people and of the great
dominions of the crown for united
action against common foe.
Both the British and Russian
governments have undertaken tC
continue the war against Hitlerite
Germany to the utmost of their
strength and to help each other ano
not make peace separately.
The agreement which has been
signed, the text of which has been
published, cannot fail to exercise q
highly beneficial and potent in
fuence on the future of the war.
1T is, of course, an alliance and
the Russian people are now oul
allies.
Gen. Jan Christian SHUTS pre-
mier of the Union of South Africa
has made a comment which, as il
entirely represents the view of His
Majestys government, should like
to repeat now: Let no one salo
Gen. Smuts, say we are now In
league with the Communists anc
are fighting the battle of Com
munism.'
Wish Russia Success.
"If this Hitler, in his insane
megalomania, has driven Russia tc
fight him in self-defenSe, we bless
her arms and wish her all success
without for a moment identifying
ourselves with her Communistie
creed. Hitler made her his enemy
and not us friendly to her creed
Mr.. Churchill added that Britain
"has been instrumental in bringing
out a very great measure OF agree.
ment between the Russian Soviet
state and the Polish government,
now in exile in London.
These negotiations have not ye'
(see CHURCHILL. Page A-3)