The Russian Talks Little progress can be reported in the
Moscow negoti- ations; it is interesting, however, that by now the German Press regards the alliance as inevitable. On Thursday of last week M. Molotoff, the Russian Prime Minister, re- jected the new proposals made by Great Britain and France; on Friday the British negotiators sent their advice on the next steps to be taken to London, and Lord Halifax had a meeting with M. Maisky. On Monday a reply was decided on by the Foreign Policy Committee of the Cabinet, on Tuesday it was drafted by Foreign Office experts, and on Wednesday it was received by Sir William Seeds, the • British Ambassador in Moscow; another meeting with M. Molotoff is expected immediately. Two difficulties in the negotiations may be mentioned. Firstly, Russia's demand for an open and specific guarantee of the Baltic States against aggression, despite their unwillingness to accept it; it is suggested that this difficulty may be overcome by giving an open general guarantee and naming the Baltic States specifically in a secret agreement. Secondly, the defi- nition of aggression is difficult when states, as a result of intimidation and penetration, may surrender their independ- ence without resistance. It is clear that these are gcnuin.: difficulties, which cannot be conscientiously ignored; never- theless, so far the Russians have granted all that has been asked of them, while the British continue to try to restrict the obligations into which they are being asked to enter.
