The Waikato Times FRIDAY JUNE 2, 1939 RUSSIAN DEMANDS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20820, 2 June 1939, Page 6

The Waikato Times FRIDAY JUNE 2, 1939 RUSSIAN DEMANDS

Rejection by Russia of the latest '‘peace front’’ proposals by Britain and T ranee has caused widespread surprise, especially after Mr Chamberlain had announced in the House of Commons a few days ago that he was confident a complete agreement would be reached within a few days. It is true that Britain still regards the position as open for further negotiation, but the terms of M. Molotoff s reply in his address to the Soviet Supreme Council were not very encouraging, and there is no doubt that Britain has heard tlie decision with extreme disappointment. Particular interest attaches to M. MoiotofT s statement: “It is impossible to think now whether Britain and I'ranee really want to end aggression. That is why wc must be vigilant. We want peace, but we must remember M. Stalin s warning about pulling chestnuts out of the fire.” Simultaneously M. MoiotofT announced that trade negotiations with Germany “may soon be resumed.” Whether there was any particular significance in the statement is not certain, but the fact that the two announcements were coupled in the same speech suggests a certain trend in Russian thought. There can be no objection to Russia improving trade relations with Germany —in fact it is highly desirable that that development should occur —but Russian co-operation with Germany to the exclusion of the anti-aggression movement would be a matter for very grave concern. Obviously the Soviet regards the Anglo-French attitude as half-hearted, and has the impression that it is being asked to join the “peace front” only as an inferior partner. Russia demands complete equality and reciprocity and complains that although the principle of reciprocity is admitted by Britain and France, there are too many limiting qualifications which would render the proposed agreement purely formal. The Soviet also demands a more definite undertaking for the protection of the smaller countries on the north-western frontiers, which France at least is apparently willing to concede, providing such protection is asked for by the smaller nations concerned. France has not lost its confidence that an agreement can still be concluded by an adjustment of the outstanding differences which, on the face of them, do not appear to be insurmountable. Germany accepts M. Molotoff’s statement cautiously. To what extent political considerations have entered into the negotiations it is impossible to say, but as Mr Chamberlain emphasised in the House of Commons, it is not simply a matter between Britain and Russia; there are many other nations involved in the system of agreements, and the claims and rights of all have to be adjusted whenever an alteration is made in the basis of the discussions with Russia. To the average person it would appear that political antipathies need not enter into the matter, and that a mutual assistance pact against aggression could be reached without any interference with the internal policies of any of the countries concerned. In the meantime it would be unwise to assume that Russia is lost to the “peace front” organisation. Britain and France are not likely to be so easily thwarted in the achievement on which they have set their minds.