It is but natural that there should be considerable speculation concerning the progress of the Anglo-Russian negotiations for something which it is believed may turn out to be a military alliance designed for the purpose of adding to the structure of mutual defence which has been created with astonishing rapidity since dismemberment of Czechoslovakia. There has been a certain objection to the receipt of military aid from Russia by Poland, which is determined that Soviet soldiers shall not encroach upon Polish territory, though this does not, so it would appear, preclude Russia from giving that assistance in the air, which should serve to change the balance of air power in Europe immediately, and most certainly some time before the full effect of Britain's air rearmament comes fully into play. The major points, which it is reported a under consideration in London and Moscow, include a Soviet guarantee to Rumania, to which Moscow is reported already to have given a verbal acceptance, British guarantees to Poland, Rumania and Turkey. The general effect of such an arrangement would be that the western borders of Russia will be adequately guaranteed, for, if the anti-aggre: sion pact operates in favour of Poland and Rumania, than it would be impossible for Germany to move against Russia without taking such steps as would automatically bring the anti-aggression understandings into operation. If to this is added a general agreement between Great Britain and Russia, providing for mutual reciprocation, amount-ug to a full military alliance, it will be seen that, should present Anglo-Russian parleys end in the success which is hoped for, a striking change will have been brought about in European international relationships which may have a profound effect upon future developments. It should not be thought that such an arrangement would destroy all fear of another war, though it may very considerably reinforce beliefs at present held as to what would be the result of such a struggle.
If Great Britain and Russia do reach agreement on the points under discussion, it will merely mean that a return has been made to the doctrine of collective security, originally destroyed by German action, and now again brought into being by the behaviour of that self-same country. There will probably be many in Britain, who will still look upon an Anglo-Russian alliance with considerable disfavour. There is a strong body of public opinion which holds that, if Britain had to choose between the ideologies re spectively represented by Germany and It: on the one hand and Russia on the other, it would choose the former. That opinion is not, however, so strongly held as to prevent Great Britain seeking strange bedfellows, and the world may be somewhat bewildered by the rapidity with which Whitehall is adapting its policy to swiftly changing times. Much has been made of recent military purges in Russia as tending to weaken that country's military machine. There is still the uncomfortable fear that the removal of too many of the higher officers in the Red army may have led to a deterioration of its military effectiveness. That is a possibility which should not be overlooked. but as, judging from the manner in which developments are shaping, there is little likelihood of anything but Russia's air force being used in Europe, too much weight need not be given to this particular aspect of the matter. With the adherence of both Russia and Turkey to the proposed anti-aggression pact this portion of British policy will have achieved complete success The union of all the nations, likely to be most closely affected by the German and Italian schemes for territorial aggrandisement, in a determination to oppose it to the bitter end may be termed by Germany a policy of encirclement. It is quite clear that the effects of that encirclegient need never be felt so long as those two nations refrain from that aggression to which it is at present feared they are contemplating to resort. In its essence, being purely defensive, it need give no rise for more anxict; than does the Entente Cordiale in times of peace.
There is, about these reports of a possible Anglo-Russian military alliance still many questions which can only be answered w the terms of whatever understanding is reached are published. Not the least interesting item for speculation is as to what would be the effect of such an agreement upon the situation in the Far Fast. It should be quite obvious that an Anglo-Russian military alliance designed merely to meet the European situation would be most one-sidedly in favour of Britain and France. If Moscow insists that the understanding shall be all-embracing then her position in the Far East will be very considerably strengthened. But then so also would that of Great Britain and France. Thus no matter how unpalatable this Anglo-French-Russian understanding may be to some people it is apparent that it is the only possible answer to the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo axis which can be evolved in present circumstances. A counsel of perfection would be the inclusion of the United States in such an arrangement. That, however, seems hardly to be within the bounds of practical politics, though with ihe strong American disapproval of the methods followed by the two European dictators, and the very real moral support of the democracies by the United States, the absence of that country from partnership in any such coalition of states need not in itself be an ingredient of weakness. It may in certain circumstances turn out to be an added strength. But for the moment the greatest attention must be centred upon the European effects of an Anglo-Russian alliance combine ed with that between France and Russia, As a weapon of self defence it may be of the strongest influence in assisting Herr Hitler to make the decision which he has to reach by April 28. By that time it is to be hoped that Moscow and London will have reached a complete and published agreement. Should hat be so it may serve very greatly to modify what at present appears to be the common policy of Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini.
The Old Home Town Wiping away nostalgic aybe, glycerine tears, it is heped that a of forbearance will prevail and pre ne Dunne, the Hollywood movie actress, from going any farther with her proposal to develop real interest in the old home town, especially as far as movie stars Miss Dunne, claiming te approv of Mrs. Roosevelt, thinks it i: high time city dwellers should revive interest n old home towns where they were born and reared, and as far as Hollywood is concerned everybody should spend one week a year at home, resume their contacts with their family life and return to Hollywood with a refreshed viewpoint. Apart from the spectacular publicity value and the astonishment created by this sudden return to the scenes of childhood, it would be interesting to learn how many of Hollywood's glamorous satellites would confess where they originally came from Most of them hide their early careers—unle: they are exotic or plain "backbone of America origins—so effectively in a haze of publicity half-truths or inventions that it would devastatingly ruinous to divulge some of these interesting personal detail. Many of the creen ni for instance, would collapse like 1 bubble if affection for the old home tows ver i and became public property whil who have derived heir reputa South Sea island other exotic es would simply vanish n insistence were placed on the where they were born of the enterprising West town who ari an accent whic litly vu ar am 1 tion the reflect tion mi 1 e that Hollywood's cri pseudo-foreign stars might aunt of heart-burni popular a There would either be a tremendous traffic dislocating the cinema industry or else shamefaced adn on: ch might change the ire mationalisti tendency London's Budget This year the London Coi rity Council celebrates its ju bilee, and the great development f the capi l of the is indicated by rateable per on. Fifty years ago the ow £153.75. The gross expenditure in 1889 was abo: and, while not possible n absolute as the n the umed financial bbc services than was former mount spent has enormously increase approved estimate for expenditure tenance account f the year 1939-40 totals £35,972,043. Of this si £24,113,000 will be found by the ratepayers the remainder coming from various grants from the national exchequer other sour Enormous as are these sums, the citizens of London have no reason to object to t on the grounds of extravagance. for they provid amenities, great efficiency and amazing variety The public services of London have contributed to the happiness and welfare of the populace f ways, The people of Land on than g the fifty nder one 141 to per mill
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.