Evening star., 1942-06-12

and long.term alliance. this Gov.
eminent apparently was following
its traditional policy Of preserving
its freedom of action while pledgine
the utmost cooperation in action
along parallel lines" with like
minded countries to preserve peace
Intensified Offensive.
Language of both the Washington
and London announcements delib-
erately left open the question OF
exactly what was the understanding
reached as to a second front this
year, but plainly indicated intensi-
fed offensive action against Hitler
possibly within year.
In referring to the reciprocal aid
pledged by Russia to the United
States during the war in the agree.
ment signed here, the State Depart
ment asserted that mo matter how
great this aid may prove to be, II
will be small in comparison with the
magnificent contribution of the
Soviet Unions armed forces to the
defeat Of the common enemy"
This left the implication that nc
precise settlement may be required
from Russia for the materials sent
her under the lease-lend program
An exchange of notes between Mr.
Hull and Mr.. Litvinoff specifically
provided that the new agreement
replaces" previous arrangements
under which the Soviet was pledged
to make repayments after the war
The department explained that
"the agreement does not attempt to
foresee or to define precise and de-
tailed terms of settlement" but lays
down broad principles designed to
prevent any narrowly ly-conceived set
tlement which might have disastrous
effects on the economic welfare Of
our own people, the Soviet people,
and the world generally"
Conclusion of the pact, the de-
partment said. adds the Soviet
Union to the growing list of coun-
tries which have joined in de-
termination to take practical meas
ures to create a better world here
after"
Major Concession.
In negotiation of the Russian
British treaty in London, 1t was
understood that the Soviet made a
major concession under the persua-
sion of United States Ambassador
John G. Winant She agreed not to
press her earlier demand for q
guarantee of her pre-war Baltic
frontiers.
A United Nations spokesman In
London was quoted by the Asso-
ciated Press as declaring that the
series of accords guarantees the
war not only will be won, but the
postwar peace as we'll"
The Anglo-Russian treaty was
construed in London as marking the
emergence of the Soviet Union from
isolationism and representing a
sacrifice by Russia in the interests
of international harmony.
Divested of diplomatic language
here briefly is what the treaty pro-
vides, according to British foreign
office commentator:
Russia and Britain will give each
other every kind of aid against Ger
many and her European allies.
Neither power will make peace
with Hitler or any warlike German
government. nor will either con-
clude an armistice or peace treaty
without the others consent.
Both will seek the assistance of
other countries in maintenance of
peace in the postwar years and will
aid each other if attacked by any
nation.
An attack by Germany or any OF
her European allies on either power
in the postwar years Immediately
would involve the aggressor in war
with the second power.
Russia and Britain will retain the
pact until establishment of a Eu-
ropean system for maintenance OF
peace makes it unnecessary.
If this system fails to appear. the
treaty will remain in force for 20
years.
London dispatches explained the
lack of any mention of Japan in the
treaty or other understandings on
the ground that Russia. fully in
volved in a fight for life on her Eu-
ropean frontier against Germany,
was loath to give Japan cause for
war.
While some members of Congress
here said such a future develop
ment as American use of Russian
bases to bomb Japan appeared en-
tirely possible, others voiced the
conviction that nothing would pre-
cipitate the Russians into open hos
tilities with the Japanese while they
were so heavily engaged with the
Germans