SOVIET REGRETS DEVELOPMENT

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22514, 23 September 1938, Page 13

SOVIET REGRETS DEVELOPMENT

M. LITVINOV SPEAKS TO

LEAGUE ASSEMBLY /

CAPITULATION CONSIDERED DISASTROUS (tnorzo FXBSS iSSOOATIO*— COPT*.I(J*Tj (Received September 22, 11.25 ajn.)

GENEVA, September 21.

“Czechoslovakia may decide today or to-morrow to take up arms in defence of her independence,” declared the Soviet delegate (M. Litvinov), in addressing the League Assembly at Geneva: “The sympathies of all peoples represented in the assembly go out to the Czechs in their terrible hour of trial.” This sentence wrs greeted with cheers, mainly from |he public galleries.

“We intend to fulfil our obligations under our pact to afford assistance to Czechoslovakia, together with France, by the ways open to us,” declared M. Litvinov. “Our War Department is ready immediately to participate in a conference with representatives of the French and Czech war departments to discuss measures appropriate to the moment.

“We also consider it desirable to raise the question of the League if only for the object, first, of mobilising public opinion, and second, of ascertaining the position of certain other States whose passive aid might be very valuable if necessary. However, to exhaust all means of averting armed conflict, we consider that one such method would be immediate consultation among the great Powers to decide on the terms of a collective demarche.” M. Litvinov added that two < days ago the Soviet had assured Czechoslovakia that she would render immediate and effective aid if France rendered similar assistance. ‘Tt is not our rault if no effect is given to our proposals, which I am sure would have produced the desired effect in the interests of Czechoslovakia and of general peace,” he said. “Unfortunately, other steps have been taken leading to capitulation which is bound, sooner or later, to have incalculably disastrous consequences.”

“EXTORTED BY THREAT”

BRITISH LIBERALS’ ATTITUDE

RESOLUTION CONDEMNING

GOVERNMENT

LONDON, September 21,

A meeting of the council of the Liberal Party passed a resolution condemning the Government’s initiating, without -consulting Parliament, another surrender to force, and reversing its policy announced a fortnight ago, whereas a firm lead could have preserved peace with honour.

The-resolution also .declares that the proposals as represented in press reports, cannot be workable and are unlikely to preserve peace, and will confront Europe generally, and Britain in particular, with ever-increas-ing demands from Herr Hitler backed by ever-increasing force.

The Liberals demanded the immediate reassembly of Parliament. The leader (Sir Archibald Sinclair) said: 'We have merely submitted, to Herr Hitler’s demands. Submission was extorted by the threat of war.” Sir Archibald Sinclair asked if the Dominions would share the British guarantee of the frontiers of a small and gravely weakened state. The guarantee would be an onerous and dangerous addition to the responsibilities of Britain. It was not too late for firmness.

“LEADING SHIP OF PEACE TO PORT” MUSSOLINPS PRAISE OF MR CHAMBERLAIN

TREVISO, September 21.

Signor Mussolini declared in • speech: “At this moment, the British Prime Minister, who took the political initiative, is leading the little ship of peace into port. The Italians have been the calmest of all the European peoples during the crisis, because they are always ready.” RELIEF FELT AMONG GERMANS

FAITH IN MR CHAMBERLAIN (Received September 22, 8.20 p.m.)

LONDON, September 22.

The Berlin correspondent of “The Times” says that the news that the Czechs had accepted the British and French plan was greeted by a sigh of relief by the German people.

Since Mr Chamberlain’s visit the Germans, particularly the' working people and the middle classes, have placed their faith in him, believing that he, even at this late hour, would unite with Herr Hitler to save Germany from war.