WORLD REACTION

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24096, 4 November 1943, Page 5

WORLD REACTION

Comment on Moscow Declaration

GERMAN CRITICISM (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 2. The Official German News Agency quotes the “Volkischer Beobachter” as saying that Britain, Russia, and America have embarked on the annihilation of the Reich, in the execution of a common master plan.” The German overseas radio says: “One must conclude from the communique that no military agreement was concluded at Moscow. This conference once again proved that Britain and America are neither willing nor in a position to save Europe from complete Bolshevisation.” The German News Agency diplomatic correspondent says: "Berlin regards the Moscow communique as a typical example of how the realist, Stalin, has allowed his partners to prattle about alleged diplomatic victories while he himself, and his armies marching into Europe, rely only on the crushing weight of a military machine against which Europe’s only protection is the German war of arms. “The Moscow conference laboured like a gigantic mountain; but only gave birth to a little mouse, which , is now offered to the world as a cure-all.” Dr. Benes, in a statement to the Tass Agency, congratulated the participants in the Moscow conference on “the tremendous results achieved. Their completeness, farsightedness, and simplicity surpass cdl our expectations. I have not the slightest doubt that this literally means a considerable shortening of the war. The conference can rightly be considered a conference of victory.” The decision about Austria, which vitally affects Czechoslovakia, is welcomed by Czechoslovak circles in London. It is recalled that Czechoslovak statesmen have repeatedly stressed the necessity for an independent Austria. “Izvestia” Predicts Second Front”

“The best news so far is that important decisions were made pointing towards an Anglo-American second front,” says “Izvestia.” The paper indicated that the military decisions reached had satisfied the Russians. The Chinese Foreign Minister, Mr T, V. Soong, said that China enthusiastically welcomed the Moscow joint declaration. “Mr Eden, Mr Hull, and Mr Molotov may well prove to be the instruments for bringing the dream of the ages nearer to fruition,” he said. “It is generally agreed in Sweden that the results of the Moscow conference bode extremely ill for Germany,” says the British United Press correspondent in Stockholm. The Swedish paper, “Dagens Nyheter,” interprets the Moscow announcements as meaning that the Allies are determined not to repeat the mistakes of the last war. “They insist upon unconditional surrender, giving the Germans no chance again to pretend that they surrendered on the basis of promises which were subsequently broken. This time the war criminals will be systematically punished.”

‘‘The European Advisory Commission to be established in London under the terms of the Moscow agreement will hold its first meetings before the end of November,” says the Press Association’s diplomatic correspondent. “Britain and America regard the selection of their representatives and staffs as a matter of urgency, A large building is being chosen as a permanent headquarters.” Proposal for Western Europe

“Diplomatic circles in close touch with anti-Axis underground movements in occupied countries have disclosed that they are far belter pleased with the Moscow agreements than they have been with British-American foreign policy formerly,” says a message from Washington. “Rightly or wrongly, this policy was interpreted as an attempt to establish a belt of semi-authoritarian governments in westei’n Europe, as a bar against Communism. The general verdict of all the nations is that the Moscow agreement exceeds the most optimistic expectations, although Jugoslavia and Greece are reported to be disappointed that the agreement did not provide for the punishment of Italian war criminals. “The former Austrian Social-Demo-cratic War Minister, Julius Deutsch, said that the Moscow agreement was hailed among Austrian underground leaders and anti-Fascisls, who suggest that the four Powers intend that, an independent Austria shall participate in a democratic-progressive bloc of European nations—particularly Czechoslovakia, Jugoslavia, and a democratised Hungary.” Great patriotic and Communist demonstrations occurred in Vienna and other large Austrian towns following the Moscow declaration, reports the Swedish newspaper “Svenska Dagbladet’s” Berne correspondent. “Revolt has been growing steadily.” he says. "Four hundred were arrested in the first half of October alone. The revolt has even spread to the Civil Service, where many have been arrested for defeatism and sabotage. Anti-Hitler slogans have been chalked up on the walls of Vienna’s main streets/’ “Chinese officials enthusiastically hail the Moscow agreement.” says Chungking’s American Associated Press correspondent in Chungking. “They declare that it must put the Japanese in a fearful mood; but that the Japanese probably will not regard it as a cause for war against Russia. It is felt, however, that Russia has shown a stronger hand than ever before in signifying her readiness to accept anv challenge from Tokyo The 'Dome! News Agency’s radio transmission to East Asia comments: “The Moscow agreement is not surprising. It is only natural for the three Powers to reach an agreement on cooperation since they are engaged in a common war against Germany.

New Anti-Aircraft Gun. —The United States Army, according to Major-Gen-eral Campbell, Chief of Army Ordnance, has a new 120-millimetre antiaircraft gun, capable of firing 12 miles, or twice the present bomber ceiling.— Washington, November 2.