24 JULY 1941, Page 2

The Russo - Czech Agreement The agreement signed between the Soviet Union

and the Czecho-Slovak Republic in London last week is another step in the bringing together of Governments which under the stresses of war are realising their common interests. Already the Governments of Poland and Czecho-Slovakia have been coming together to prepare the way for co-operation after the war. Poland, before whom Hitler has been dangling belated promises of independence, is preferring the better way of discussions with Russia. General Sikorski flatly rejects the "ostensible favours" which Hitler is today seeking to offer to Poland, and declares that in spite of the wrongs recently done to PoLand by Russia, it is with Russia that he welcomes a new understanding. It will be noted that President Benes' Government in London, hitherto described as a Provisional Government, is now fully recognised by Great Britain, and has the same status as other Allied Governments in this country. Under the new agreement it will exchange Ministers with Russia and enters into an affiance for mutual aid and support, which will take a practical form in the formation and service of Czecho-Slovak military units on Soviet territory. Already under sufferings imposed by the war some grounds of difference which were insuperable obstacles to co-operation in the past assume small proportions now. It is true the post-war map of Europe cannot at this stage be drawn, but present co- operation, much of it promoted by daily intercourse in London, should smooth the way in advance for the future Peace Conference.