DEFENSIVE ALLIANCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 November 1943, Page 3

DEFENSIVE ALLIANCE

CONSIDERED BY RUSSIA & CZECHOSLOVAKIA AFTER YEAR OF DISCUSSION. PROVISION FOR ADHERENCE OF OTHER COUNTRIES. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, November 5. Diplomatic correspondents in Washington report that Russia and Czechoslovakia have completed negotiations for a 20-year defensive alliance'against Germany. The alliance has been under discussion for more than a year. President Benes is to go to Moscow to sign the treaty. The Associated Press of America says there will be provision in the alliance for the later adherence of other countries bordering on Russia and Czechoslovakia. This is intended primarily to open the door to Poland to join, but eventually Austria, Hungary and Rumania may be invited.

The Czech Ambassador in Washington, Mr Hurban, declined to discuss the Russian-Czech alliance beyond saying: “Our intention to negotiate a treaty with Russia is well known.” M Hurban denied reports that Czechoslovakia was prepared to cede certain territories to Hungary, and said that the unconditional surrender decision applied to Hungary, involving the automatic return to Czechoslovakia of all the territories which were taken after Munich. An offiicial at the Polish Embassy in Washington disclosed that Poland sent to the Moscow conference a suggestion that an eastern European commission similar to the Mediterranean commission should be established to deal with problems when the Red Army reaches Poland.