Moscow, Apr. 15.
Following a meeting iñ Paris tonight between M. Georges Bonnet, French Foreign Minister, and M. Souritz, the Soviet Ambassador, it is understood that negotiations with a view to placing the Soviet in the mutual aid system are progressing favourably.
Some aspects of the problem seem already settled, and definite results sre hoped by Monday.
Apparently, the agreement contemplates going far beyond mere aerial measures. It is expected that it will involve the supply of all kinds of arms and raw materials to Poland and Rumania in the event of war—
Washington, Apr. 15.
President Roosevelt's appeal to Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini has electrified diplomatic circles, especially in view of the hornet's nest which the message is liable to stir up against himself in the Congress, It is reliably learned that the Pre-dent took action after discussing with the Cabinet the probability indicated by the United States intelligence reports that certain aggressive acts might be expected within the next four or five days.
Diplomatic circles doubt whether the Axis could accede to such terms without irretrievable loss of "face." It is argued that President Roosevelt is throwing responsibility for peace or war directly upon the shoulders of Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini.
Even if the message fails to. preserve peace, diplomatic circles believe that it will facilitate the President's foreign policy domestically if war comes. It would bear witness that the President had done everything possible to avert hostilities and that the Axis had resorted to force in direct contempt of the appeal. This would consolidate American opinion against the Axis from the start Government supporters believe that the act places President Roosevelt in a position of world leadership as arbiter between nations, and marks the highest peak any President had attained since President Wilson went to Paris.
President Roosevelt this morning called a special conference of his advisers on foreign relations. Senator Key Pittman, of the Foreign Service Commission, and other experts on foreign affairs were summoned to the White House.
Mr. Cordell Hull, Secretary of State and Mr. Sumner Welles, Under-
Secretary of State. arrived early for the conference. As it started, Wa-ashington was disturbed by reports published in Berlin relating to alleged anti-German incidents in Polish Silesia, strengthening the rumours that Herr Hitler might take steps to British Ambassador in
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