POLISH TREATY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 95, 23 April 1945, Page 5

POLISH TREATY

STALIN'S SIGNATURE Hailed By Moscow As One Of Year's Major Events N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. 10 a.m. LONDON, April 22. Russia and the Polish Provisional Government have signed a treaty of friendship and mutual assistance. Moscow newspapers treat the signature of the treaty as one of the most important events of the year. The official announcement, with a large picture of Marshal Stalin signing the treaty, takes up the whole front page of every newspaper. Moscow radio says that Marshal Stalin put his signature to the document yesterday after the President, M. Beirut, the Prime Minister, M. Osubka-Morawsky, and he had conferred for several days. Marshal Stalin, In a speech, said the treaty was of great historical importance, marking the turning point in relations between the two countries. Past discord had weakened both countries and strengthened German imperialism. The significance of the new treaty lay in the fact that a solid foundation has' been laid for the replacement of the old unfriendly relations with ties of alliance and friendship. "I do not doubt that the Allies in the West will welcome the treaty," said Marshal Stalin. "There is now a United Nations front from the Baltic to the Carpathians against •German imperialism. It can now be said that German imperialism is doomed from the East. There is no doubt that if this barrier is completed by one erected by the Western Allies German aggression will not be able to develop easily." Marshal Stalin gave a dinner at the Kremlin last night in honour of the President of the Provisional Government and to mark the signing of the treaty. The Lublin radio announces a reshuffle of the Provisional Cabinet. The Ministries of Food Supply and Public Administration have changed hands and a new portfolio of Minister of Health has been created.