SOVIET READY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 52, 29 January 1938, Page 10

SOVIET READY

INTERVENTION IN CHINA. EUROPEAN INTERPRETATION. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright..) Received January 29, 12.10 p.m. LONDON, Jan. 28. The Daity Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent reports that there are hints in London diplomatic circles of Russia’s readiness to co-operate in suppressing the Japanese aggression in China and quotes the assertion that the Soviet’s considerable military strength in the Far East has been increased by infantry and artillery divisions, a formidable air force, and one division of cavalry and one division of engineers.

It is suggested that the events of 1938 will determine whether all States must abandon the policy based on collective security or reinforce it. The Soviet is ready to resist Japanese aggression in agreement with the other Powers, notably Britain, which would be asked for compensatory guarantees of Russia’s Far Eastern securities.

The predominant opinion is that the collective basis offers the Soviet the best foundation of peace and security.

Another influential school believes that Russia should abandon the League and seek friends elsewhere. The latest development of Soviet policy may be guided by anxiety, lest the Western European democracies and the totalitarian States might come to terms with the democracies, disinteresting themselves in the European developments. The implications of the situation may cause direct suggestions from M. Litvinoff to Mr Eden at Geneva. It is significant that leaders of American opinion openly advocate an American fleet strong enough to secure an unquestioned predominance in the Pacific, proceeding on tile assumption that the British and French fleets must remain concentrated on the North Atlantio ail’d Mediterranean Sea.