NEWS OF THE WEEK
THE Anglo-Franco-Soviet discussions of the proposed pact of alliance were resumed in Moscow at the week-end ; but it is still impossible to predict a speedy conclusion to the conversations. A rumour that agreement had been reached was shown to be without foundation and new difficulties have arisen to take the place of those that have been overcome. The major issues indeed have been settled; agreement has been reached on the form of the pact, on immediate military conversations on its application, on immediate military co-operation in the event of aggression and on provisions against a separate armistice or peace. It is reliably reported also that the difficulty of guaranteeing the Baltic States, despite their unwillingness and their fear of intervention in their internal politics, has now been overcome and that Great Britain has agreed to the addition of a protocol to the pact in which the Baltic States are specifically_ named and guaranteed. As this was the main obstacle to the progress of the conversations, the appearance of new difficulties after its removal is extremely disappoint- ing, especially since every day of delay in reaching agree- ment can only diminish the effect which, it is hoped, the proposed alliance will have on the policy of the Reich.
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