Salt Lake Telegram | 1938-09-20 | Page 1 | Russia Blasts Prague's Hopes

RUSSIA BLASTS PRAGUE'S HOPES Soviet Army to Wait on Frances France's Entry GENEVA GENEV 1 Sept 20 20 UP The UP-The The possibility of Soviet Russia alone going to the aid of Czechoslovakia appeared bl blasted ted today when soviet sources source 1 told the United Press that Russia w would ld sta stand stand-by bY her her treaty obligations under any circumstances circumstances circum circum- stances but bu had given no ho pl pledge dge to fight unless to war first Later an announcement by the soviet so delegation said that the Soviets had assured the Czechs that Russia w would fight in behalf of Czechoslovakia if it France first went to Prague's aid Except for casual corridor meetIngs meetings meetings meet meet- ings there have been no c conferences confer between Czech and soviet representatives representatives representatives rep rep- of the League of NatIons Na- Na ions it was emph emphasized and no pledges have been given Prague be because because because be- be cause the Czechs already know perfectly well what the Soviets Soviet's position position po po- po- po si is The soviet treaty obligation specifically specifically ape ape- provides that Russia is bound to aid Czechoslovakia against an aggressor only after France has first gone to the aid of Prague Thus the soviet attitude was interpreted to mean that they would fight if France fights but would not aid the Czechs if it France does not intervene first There were suggestions in well- well informed sources that in event Czechoslovakia made a lone stand against turning th the over to Germany the Soviets might lend indirect aid ald such as has been given the loyalist government in Spain That would mean soviet war materials and technical advisers The soviet sources said that there had been no meetings between the Czechs and Soviet Foreign Commissar Commis sar Maxim Litvinov or other soviet delegates at Geneva with the exception exception ex ex- of short informal talks in inthe inthe inthe the League of ot Nations corridors