BRITAIN & RUSSIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 May 1939, Page 5

BRITAIN & RUSSIA

NEGOTIATIONS NOT VET COMPLETE MR CHAMBERLAIN REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. CONDITIONS OF GUARANTEE TO POLAND. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.) RUGBY, May 8. The Prime Minister (Mr Chamberlain) stated- in the House of Commons that, a fur(her expression of Britain’s views had been sent to the British Ambassador to Russia (Sir William Seeds) for communication to the Soviet. While these diplomatic exchanges were proceeding, the House would readily appreciate that it would not be right for him to make a public statement on the points raised in the House of Commons questions. It was Britain’s purpose to obtain the fullest co-operation with Russia in the policy she was pursuing. Upon being asked if Russian coun-ter-proposals remained unaffected by M. Litvinoff’s resignation, Mr Chamberlain remarked: “I am not really in a position to give a positive answer to that.” In an answer in reference to Colonel Beck’s speech, Mr Chamberlain said: “The Government welcomes the terms, at once firm and conciliatory of the speech recently addressed by Colonel Beck to Herr Hitler and has taken due note of the proposals made by him therein.” The Premier was asked if, at the time of the British guarantee to Poland on March 31, any advice was tendered regarding the desirability of her entering into immediate negotiations or discussions with Germany for an amicable settlement of the future control and status of Danzig and reasonable .communications between the Reich and East Prussia, and whether i;r view of the danger to the peace of the world involved in the present state of affairs in the Danzig area, he would impress on Poland the necessity of satisfying British public opinion that every reasonable proposal for an equitable settlement, of these questions would be welcomed by her. Mr Chamberlain replied: “The speaker doubtless read the speech by Colonel Beck on May 5, from which it is apparent that these questions were already under discussion between Poland and Germany before the date of Britain’s assurance to Poland. Poland is, of course, aware that Britain would welcome an amicable settlement, and I have no reason to doubt that she is alive to the importance of the consideration contained in the second part of the question.” Mr R. A. Butler (Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs), replying to a question, said the status of Danzig was regulated by treaty. The question of any change in that status was a matter in the first instance for the parties most directly interested in the treaty settlement, and it was for them to agree upon the methods by which they should proceed.