MILITARY ACCORD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19987, 12 July 1939, Page 5

MILITARY ACCORD

OBJECTIVE OF SOVIET INDICATION TO FRANCE M OSCC) W CO NV E REA TID N S LLRTII Eli INSTRUCT!()NS (Elec. To]. Copyright —United Press Assn.) (Reed. July 12, TO a.m.) LONDON. July 11. Messages from Paris state that it is understood that the French Ambassador to Russia, M. Naggiar, has informed tire French Foreign. Minister, M. Bonnet, that the Soviet has asked for military accord before a. general pact can be reached. Questioned yesterday in the House of Commons on the Moscow negotiations, the Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, said: “Britain and .France have sent further joint instructions to their representatives in Moscow who _ have now had. two further conversations which the Soviet Foreign Minister, M. Molotov.

“-Certain, furthqr suggestion have, been made toy the Soviet Government which are now under consideration and, on other points, we have not yet received the Soviet's reply.”

Mr. Chamberlain replied in the negative when it was suggested to hinr that he should arrange for a visit by the Foreign Secretary, Viscount Halifax, to Moscow.

In another answer relative to anxieties which had neen expressed in the press concerning the Baltic States, he said: “It is the general policy of Britain to maintain respect for the integrity of all sovereign Slates. In particular, Britain is aware of the desires of Finland and he Baltic States to preserve their independence and neutrality and, as ;his is also the objective of Britain, the British Government will naturally take full account of these considerations in the present negotiations.”