POLAND READY.

FRONTIERS MANligEfe

Preparations To Obstrti<?f!

German Advance.

REACTION TO PACT MOVE.

United Press Association.—Copyright.

(Received 10.30 a.m.) LOXDOX, August 22

Poles have manned fortifications opposite the German border and are constructing machine-gun pillars, says an Independent Cable Service message from Bethuen. Engineers are preparing to blow up Netze River locks and Upper Silesian dams.

Germany's minimum demands in the Polish conflict are reported to have grown past Danzig and the Corridor, says the Berlin correspondent of the "Daily Express." They now include all the territory the ex-Kaiser lost to Poland after the Great War.

It is claimed that, in the event of a military conflict, German troops would fight their way to the 1914 frontier and remain "on the defensive." Even conservative circles consider that this territory would be recovered within five days from the beginning of hostilities, without plunging the whole of Europe into war.

The Polish Ambassador to Berlin, M. Lipski, arrived in Warsaw at midnight by a special aeroplane from Berlin, and immediately conferred with the Foreign Minister, Colonel Beck, says a United Press Association message. The Government, in the early hours this morning, discussed the situation in view of the report of the Russo-German nonaggression agreement.

The Polish Press to-day advised the public to store a fortnight's food against emergencies.'

The British Consul-General has issued a message to British citizens in Poland advising them that, while he does not wish to cause alarm, he thinks the situation such that they should leave Poland, unless they have special reasons for staying, while communications are still good.

It is reported that Poland is not surprised at the Russo-German agreement, as it has more than once been pointed out that the Soviet did not desire to involve herself in European affairs, and other countries might have spared themselves disappointment if they had heeded the Polish views. It is stated that the Polish programme of policy never envisaged Russian help.

The British United Press Danzig correspondent says Xazis declared that the pact will undoubtedly hasten the realisation of Danzig's demand to join the Reich. It would also greatly lessen the possibilities of war, arising out of the solution of the Danzig problem.

The British Associated Press Rome correspondent says it is understood that Signor Mussolini was fully informed of the Russo-German pact negotiations, of which he approved as likely to secure not only Germany's Polish aims, l>ut also satisfaction for Jtaly's claims on France. AMERICAN REACTION. Agreement Will Be Passive, Not Aggressive. 18 IT GRANDSTAND PLAY? (Received 2,."!0 p.m.) NEW YORK, August 22. Official quarters in Washington were startled by the German-Russian move. They express the opinion that it will spur President Roosevelt's drive to amend the Neutrality Act in favour of Britain and France.

Some scepticism is expressed as to whether the non-aggression pact will actually be completed. It is felt the Soviet may be endeavouring to force Britain and France to meet her demands for an outright military alliance.

It is felt in some quarters iif Washington that the Russo-German agreement will be passive, not aggressive. It is pointed out that it is merely a reiteration, because the non-aggression pact signed in 1920 has not been denounced.

The "New York Times," in an editorial article, says: "If the step has been long contemplated it seems strange that Stalin went to such elaborate lengths of duplicity in initiating the military Staff talks with Britain and France. It would be stranger, in view of Russian reserves and suspicions, if the move was a sudden decision.

"It may still turn out to be grandstand play in the game of playing one side against another. If it is a real agreement it is an event of the utmost gravity. It js easy to imagine Stalin, as he surveys the sharpening struggle between the Fascist and democratic Powers, resolving to let them fight it out.

"A weakened, and perhaps an exhausted, Europe would hasten the end of the capitalist system and offer fertile grounds for the spread of a proletarian revolution. In the meanwhile the Soviet could turn with assurance to the East and stiffen her attitude against Japan."

GERMAN WARSHIPS.

Mine-Laying Exercises Off

Danish Coast.

WAR 'PLANES AT DANZIG.

(Received 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, August 22.

German warships are reported off the Danish coasts, carrying out mine-laying exercises.

Sweden has ordered her second submarine squadron, due to visit Ostend, to remain in home waters.

It is reported from Stockholm that Swedish Ministers abroad have been ordered to abandon their holidays and return to their posts.

Leave for all Dutch troops on the coast and frontier has been withdrawn.

War 'planes are reported to have arrived at Danzig at frequent intervals.