FRANCE AND RUSSIA

Evening Star, Issue 19665, 19 September 1927, Page 5

FRANCE AND RUSSIA

THE THREATENED RUPTURZ DISCUSSION BY ASSEMBLY. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. PARIS, September 17. It is understood that the Government is discussing the expulsion of M. Rakovsky. This'is the most .important question raised for months, and it may revive tile latent disagreement between M. Poincare and M. Driand. The latter imagined that M. Tchitcherin’s rebuff to Rakovsky ended the incident, until the Press agitation raised the question of dismissal, with which is interwoven tbo rupture of Franc-Rus-sian relations. M. Litvinoff, in making an effort to avert a break, warned France that a rupture would, destroy tbo agreement for repayment of Tsarist debts, which he asserts bad been reached. Moreover, it exposed France to the gravest dangers. Poincarist journals declare that this statement is tantamount to a blackmailing ultimatum. NO BREAK AT PRESENT, PARIS, September 18. _ 'A communique issued after the Cabinet meeting stated that a Franco-Soviet rupture at present was not justified, but it did not mention the Cabinet's attitude regarding M. Rakovsky. It was added that M. Briand _ had been authorised to continue negotiations for a Franco-Soviet non-aggression pact. DEBT SETTLEMENT DENIED. PARIS, September 18. (Received September 19, at 1.30 a.m.) As was expected in most quarters, Cabinet has not sought to recall M. Ravosky, still less to break off relations, but has decided not to reply to the proposition of a pact of non-interfer-ence in homo politics in Russia. The ‘Journal de Debats’ condemns the weakness, and Says that the Commnnists will quickly notice tfio capitulation to Moscow. Official circles deny M. Litvinoff’s statement that the a debts settlement has been reached. The Soviet has not even submitted definite proposals. It is true that negotiations have been more conciliatory lately, but there is a long road to 1>? travelled before an agreement is reached. A CHANGE DESIRED. PARIS, September IS. (Received September 19, at 11 a.m.) The ‘Matin’ says that the Government is informing Moscow that M. Rakov sky is not acceptable, and that a successor should bo appointed.—Sydney ‘Sun’ Cable.